Who better to host IPWEA’s Online Certificate in Asset Management Planning than an experienced civil engineer with extensive experience in all aspects of asset management planning and operations?
JRA Project Manager and National Director Sustainable Asset Management Allen Mapstone brings with him years of experience of working within local government in senior asset management and strategic planning roles. He has been involved in many projects throughout Australia and also in Canada implementing improved asset management practices.
He is a keen advocate of the professional certificate, which he says reinforces the importance of sound asset management planning and gives delegates access to the hands-on tools to get started in asset management planning.
“Anyone involved with the provision of infrastructure whether they be from a technical or non-technical background really need to be confident with the discussion and practice of asset management. This course is a strong step towards that position,” he said.
IPWEA’s online course is delivered in eight modules over 11 weeks. Participants can interact with presenters and other participants during online ‘live’ sessions and are required to complete coursework to achieve the accreditation.
“This qualification is an important step in the whole picture of managing assets on behalf of our communities. It’s a significant responsibility and whilst we find most organisations do a great job at delivering services there are challenges in how we ‘discuss’ the options with our communities. This greatly helps.”
Mapstone has been impressed by the level of engagement of participants, particularly considering the online nature of the course. He admits that he was nervous about the online set-up initially, but has embraced the format which allows him (and students) to interact with each other in group discussions.
“I have been involved with many face-to-face courses, so I was a bit hesitant about this environment. It’s so much better than I expected,” he said. “The most frequent feedback is just how engaging and interactive the course is.”
The course uses the tools and templates of IPWEA’s NAMS.PLUS portal. IPWEA created NAMS.PLUS as a toolkit full of templates and resources to assist asset managers in writing their first asset management plans. All resources are based on the IIMM manual, which is being updated and the new edition released in October 2015. They include self-assessment models to assess progress against ISO 55000 requirements as well as ‘how to’ videos on using IPWEA’s tools, entering data, interpreting graphs and reports.
IPWEA has introduced a free NAMS.PLUS trial subscription to allow employees of non-subscribed organisations to complete the online Professional Certificate in Asset Management Planning.
IPWEA’s online Professional Certificate in Asset Management Planning has proved popular with international participants since its launch. To date, a total of eight international members have completed the course online, originating from locations as diverse as Canada and Malaysia.
“We face many infrastructure challenges in Australia, as do our International participants,” said Mapstone of the international relevance of the course. “I think it is more that we share so much common ground that this interesting. And now we are all linked with the new international standard for asset management ISO 55000.”
Mapstone’s many years working for infrastructure organisations predominantly in local government means he has seen “the good, the not so good, the challenges and the frustrations”. He emphasises the importance of being able to talk to peers about these challenges
– something facilitated through the course’s online forums.
He relishes the opportunity to discuss the challenges of infrastructure management with newcomers and established players alike. He believes the course provides the skills needed to provide best practice asset management for our communities.
“It is great that the importance of asset management is now clearly the agenda. Would I have fully appreciated it earlier in my career? Yes, for sure.”
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IPWEA Professional Certificate in Asset Management Planning
The next course will commence 25th August 2015.
Where: Online
When: Each 'live event' session is 90 minutes supported by class participation over the following week.
Live Events: 25/8, 1/9, 8/9, 2wk break, 22/09, 29/9, 2wk break, 13/10, 20/10, 27/10.
The 'live event' session is also later available to participants as a recording to catch up or review.
Cost:
Australia:
A$2,860 per participant (incl. GST)
International:
A$2,600 per participant (GST doesn't apply)
Group discount of 20% off total cost available for 6+ registrations from same organisation.