Accessible work placements support equity and diversity in engineering

Social capital, financial status and personal circumstances can impact engineering work placement experiences, leaving some students at a disadvantage, according to new research led by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) with The University of Western Australia, Murdoch University and Curtin University. The report, funded by the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education (NCSEHE), recommended universities and industry refine Work Integrated Learning (WIL) practices to better support access, quality and wellbeing for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. WIL is the main umbrella term used in Australia to describe a range of workplace-based educational experiences that contribute to a degree qualification.

Spotlight

Spotlight

Related News

Engineering Tech

EXP announces new Northern Ontario Engineering Sector

GlobeNewswire | October 12, 2023

EXP, a global engineering, architecture, design and consulting firm, has announced the establishment of a new Northern Ontario Engineering sector. The new sector will be led by EXP’s Vice President, Northern Ontario Kevin McKay. In his promoted role as sector leader, Kevin will be responsible for engineering services on critical infrastructure projects throughout Northern Ontario. Kevin will use EXP’s global footprint to nurture client relationships, promote growth, recruit talent and foster EXP’s inclusive culture. Kevin’s promotion comes amid robust infrastructure projects in Northern Ontario. “EXP is proud of its reputation for organic growth. As we continue to expand our presence across North America, we are committed to hiring and promoting team members who are client-focused, results-driven and embody EXP’s core values. Kevin’s familiarity with Northern Ontario and his exceptional leadership skills will allow EXP to support clients and communities to reach their desired outcomes,” said EXP’s President and COO Mark Dvorak. Kevin brings over 25 years of experience in strategy, planning and execution of engineering and construction projects. Throughout his career, he has been influential on transportation, building, building science, mining, water and energy projects, including the City of North Bay’s John Street Bridge Replacement, the Dufferin Aggregates’ Flamboro Quarry Expansion and the Municipality of Callander’s Wharf Rehabilitation. He has a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Laurentian University and is a member of Professional Engineers Ontario. EXP’s growth has led to the creation of an international sector, mining sector and extension of its science and technology expertise throughout North America. To continue its rapid growth across Canada, EXP will also expand its transportation market with the upcoming promotion of Vice President, Transportation, Central Canada Magdy Saaman to Sector Leader in FY25. About EXP With a mission to understand, innovate, partner and deliver, EXP provides engineering, architecture, design and consulting services to the world’s built and natural environments. Our heritage dates back to 1906, when the earliest of EXP’s predecessor companies started its engineering infrastructure practice.

Read More

Construction

Billd and STACK Construction Technologies Announce Powerful Integration That Helps Contractors to Secure Working Capital and Increase Bid Volume

Newswire | September 12, 2023

Billd, a leading construction payment provider for commercial trade contractors, and STACK Construction Technologies, a pioneering construction software platform, enhanced their strategic partnership today in a way that will allow subcontractors to accelerate their growth like never before. Billd's financing solutions are now embedded in STACK's Takeoff and Estimating platform, allowing subcontractors to instantly access working capital during preconstruction. The new integration will empower subcontractors to increase bid volume, secure working capital, and strengthen supplier relationships, accelerating business growth without the financial constraints of the industry's broken payment chain. "We encourage all of our customers to think about working capital availability, and if necessary, financing costs, as early as possible," said Billd CEO and Founder, Chris Doyle. "This integration equips subcontractors to be proactive about project finances and bid, plan, and make promises to customers confidently, knowing that financial backing is readily available." Supply chain finance has been historically unfair to subcontractors, leaving them footing the bill for materials and labor far before they're paid for their work. Subcontractors wait twice as long as industry peers to be paid, averaging 74 days (almost two and a half months) after starting a project. By leveraging Billd Connect, Billd's suite of embedded financing apps, STACK will provide access to working capital solutions to their customers while they estimate the cost of upcoming projects. STACK's best-in-class software empowers contractors with accurate and customizable estimates, reducing the risk of underestimating costs and overextending resources. Meanwhile, Billd's material and invoice financing bridge the gap in subcontractor cash flow, reducing the risk of overextending working capital. By providing subcontractors with hyper-accurate takeoffs and estimates along with upfront funds for materials, joint customers can mitigate the uncertainties of payment cycles and bid with confidence. "The integration of construction technology is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity," said STACK's CEO and Co-Founder, Phillip Ogilby. "The construction industry has been plagued by subcontractors not getting paid on time, leading to disruptions, delays, and stalled growth. Our streamlined takeoff, estimating, and proposal solutions paired with Billd's financing options mean subs can focus on what matters. Taking the guesswork out with accurate estimates and having predictable revenue is a huge win. I wish I had this growth opportunity when I was a roofing contractor." Subcontractors need financing and they need it early in the process. Billd offers 120-day terms on material purchases, enabling subcontractors to improve their cash flow to take on larger projects, get more estimates out the door, and focus on investing in their long-term plan. About STACK Construction Technologies From project evaluation to completion, contractors use STACK's cloud-based software to help run their business and maximize their profits. Our preconstruction solutions enable fast and accurate takeoff and estimating, as well as providing a centralized hub where plans, specs, and other construction documents can be stored, evaluated, measured, and shared. Our construction solutions power real-time field and project collaboration by allowing teams to quickly and easily review, annotate, compare, and share plans, anywhere, from any device. STACK's superior collaboration tools ultimately improve project outcomes and profitability for contractors. About Billd At Billd, we provide a payment solution that enables commercial construction contractors to free up cash for material purchases while enjoying the flexibility of 120-day payment terms. You get financing for commercial materials upfront with the freedom to pay it back at your own pace. Learn more about how we can help eliminate your company's cash-flow problems so you can win more bids and grow your business.

Read More

Construction

Deltek Announces Expanded Partnership with Procore to Elevate Construction Management

PR Newswire | September 21, 2023

Deltek, the leading global provider of software and solutions for project-based businesses, today announced an expanded partnership with Deltek ComputerEase within the Procore platform, marking a milestone with its involvement on the Procore App Marketplac Procore Technologies, Inc. is a leading global provider of construction management software and launched the Procore App Marketplace in 2016 as an online hub for third party integrations and custom applications modernizing the everyday life of the construction professional. The enhanced integration will benefit thousands of construction stakeholders who currently depend on Deltek and Procore for their financial and project management needs, ultimately helping enhance firms' profitability by enabling construction jobs to be managed more effectively. In addition, Procore will join the Deltek Marketplace, a curated collection of third-party vendors that bring value and ROI to project-based businesses, and Deltek ComputerEase will remain on the Procore App Marketplace. Deltek ComputerEase has a longstanding integration with Procore's Project Management platform, and this partnership will further the relationship between the two by bringing more connectivity and efficiency to the construction industry's daily operations. The expanded partnership offers more seamless data synchronization by connecting project management and accounting functions. Any changes made to projects will appear for all team members simultaneously, reducing errors and time spent on manual data transfers and updates, leading to improved efficiency, accelerated timelines, and smarter decision-making. "Through this enhancement, we can offer contractors and their accounting teams improved access to the meaningful data they need to successfully carry out a project," said Kris Lengieza, Vice President of Global Partnerships and Alliances at Procore. "Construction professionals using both platforms can now have access to accurate, real-time information that can be seamlessly shared between the jobsite and the back office, helping deliver projects on time and within budget." "Thousands of trade and general construction contractors already leverage Deltek ComputerEase and Procore to run their businesses, control their margins, and collaborate with stakeholders," said John Meibers, Vice President and General Manager for Deltek ComputerEase. "We're thrilled to continue our journey with Procore and look forward to delivering industry leading integration and customer experience for users of the ComputerEase and Procore platforms." Deltek ComputerEase is proud to be a Silver sponsor of Procore Groundbreak, being held in Chicago September 19-20, 2023. Attendees can learn more about Deltek and the expanded partnership with Procore at the Deltek ComputerEase booth, #16. About Deltek Better software means better projects. Deltek is the leading global provider of enterprise software and information solutions for project-based businesses. More than 30,000 organizations and millions of users in over 80 countries around the world rely on Deltek for superior levels of project intelligence, management and collaboration. Our industry-focused expertise powers project success by helping firms achieve performance that maximizes productivity and revenue. Learn more at www.deltek.com. About Procore Procore is a leading global provider of construction management software. Over 1 million projects and more than $1 trillion USD in construction volume have run on Procore's platform. Procore's platform connects key project stakeholders to solutions Procore has built specifically for the construction industry—for the owner, the general contractor, and the specialty contractor. Procore's App Marketplace has a multitude of partner solutions that integrate seamlessly with Procore's platform, giving construction professionals the freedom to connect with what works best for them. Headquartered in Carpinteria, California, Procore has offices around the globe. Learn more at Procore.com.

Read More