The Graduate Certificate in Infrastructure Asset Management provides a “structured and holistic approach to best practice [asset management]”, according to a recent graduate.
The course is offered by the IPWEA, alongside the Graduate Diploma in Infrastructure Asset Management, in partnership with the Centre for Pavement Engineering Education and the University of Tasmania.
Both courses aim to provide engineering and other managers and practitioners in public works with access to modern tools to efficiently manage infrastructure.
Alan Leahy, the Principal Asset Management Planner at Moreton Bay Regional Council, undertook the Certificate course between June 2009 and July 2010. He says the course has given him a greater understanding of the most effective methods of maintaining infrastructure services levels.
“While asset management is usually performed in varying degrees by multiple staff throughout an organisation, these formal qualifications provide a more structured and holistic approach to best practice and how it impacts the various areas of the council,” he says. “It also links in with industry and legislative requirements.
“In my role, the whole course was relevant to my work. The core subjects, Asset Management Fundamentals and Asset Management Practices, were particularly useful and provided a good insight.
“I also studied Project Evaluation (with CPEE) and Management Information Systems (with Chifley), both of which were interesting – if somewhat less relevant to my current role.”
Leahy says juggling his professional responsibilities along with his study commitments was tricky, but was made easier by following the recommended study program.
“With family and fulltime work commitments, studying two subjects kept me busy, but I survived,” he says.
“I would recommend the course to other managers, particularly those with strategic asset management responsibilities.
“It provides a good overview of contemporary asset management practices and will benefit those who would like to better understand how to maintain the services provided to the community by long life infrastructure assets.”
The courses are based on the internationally acclaimed
International Infrastructure Management Manual (IIMM). They will build on the skills and knowledge gained in engineering and science undergraduate courses and provide specialist skills.
If you’re interested in completing the courses in 2013, it’s time to think about enrolling now. For more information, please visit
www.ipwea.org.au/GradCertIAM