Steven White | General Manager Infrastructure, Whitehorse City Council

Q: How long have you been a member of IPWEA?
A: Member since 1994, Fellow since 2017

Q: What are the benefits of being an IPWEA Member?
A: I joined IPWEA for professional development and networking opportunities. IPWEA provides access to a range directly relevant conferences, seminars, programs and information. IPWEA has also connected me with others in the sector that I would otherwise have not met. As I have progressed in my career, I have taken the opportunity be actively involved in IPWEA activities. There is mutual benefit in participation in this way as it is a terrific learning opportunity and a way of helping to sustain the association. I served on the Victorian Division Board from 2010 to 2012, I have been a member of the organising committee for the National Works and Engineering Conference with the Municipal Works Operations Association since 2002 and provided a range of assistance to other programs and events with the aim of helping IPWEA to achieve its goals. I have been on the assessment committee for the Victorian Engineering Excellence Awards for the last few years which has been a great opportunity to recognise some of the great work that is being done.

Q: What do you feel is the main benefit for you, in relation to your role/career?
A: I joined IPWEA to be a member of an association that provided me with professional development options, access to information relevant to my role and networking opportunities. Having access to development opportunities that were/are tailored to my work and being able to meet other public works engineers at conferences and events has been a valuable contribution to my career.

Membership has also provided the opportunity to meet and learn from other, more experienced, members to broaden my thinking and expose me to different opinions and views. IPWEA membership has provided exposure to the great projects, programs and services that public works engineers contribute to that had resulted my continuing employment in the sector.

I have attended a range of IPWEA training, conferences and seminars. All have been designed to be relevant to my role as a public works engineer or relevant to management and leadership.

IPWEA Conferences provide a great opportunity to gain exposure to a wide range of information while more specific seminars and training programs are available for specific learning outcomes.

We need to continue to learn and develop to meet the ongoing and changing needs of our work and IPWEA provides relevant avenues to achieve this.

My membership with IPWEA provided me with the opportunity to apply to participate in an International Study Tour through the Municipal Engineering Foundation (Victoria). In 2013 I was awarded a Municipal Engineering Foundation International Study Tour Scholarship and toured USA, Canada and UK, the APWA Congress was in Chicago.

Q: What would be your advice to someone considering an IPWEA membership?
A: If you want to have access to learning and development opportunities relevant to a role in public work engineering, IPWEA is the association to join. You will get access to specifically designed materials to help you in your role. If you choose to attend functions and events, you will get to meet a range of people that work in the sector that will be willing to help, advise or guide you in either a work issue or your career.