2023 Enrolments Now Open

Our roads network is our largest asset in Australia, connecting communities with more than 877,000 kms. According to a 2021 Roads Australia report commissioned by BIS Oxford Economics to determine the value of the Roads system to the economy, roads add $236 billion to our economy, support 1.4 million jobs and have a pipeline of $106.8 billion roads projects funded over the next 4 years.

Reoccurring and recent floods have also highlighted the impact on our roads, with a focus on road sustainability, roads deterioration with heavy rain, and the immense impact of potholes on major and local roads.

Recently I drove to Mt Buller and I was horrified by the pavement deteriotation and potholes along the Hume and country roads. For safe roads we all need to meet the challenge of rebuilding roads quickly and create a more resilient infrastructure.

As an industry, we need to have access to the skills and expertise to react quickly. We need to apply a skills based approach and refocus work around the people doing it and the skills required to do so, and supply the necessary skills training.

The current skills challenge is highlighted in the recently released Engineers Australia - “ The Strengthening the Engineering Workforce report”, and a number of factors currently influencing the engineering workforce, including: engineering study at higher education level. CPEE has been engaging with industry and government as a result and are excited to announce the launch of the Graduate Certificate in Project Management to complement the existing post graduate programs in Roads, Pavement and Asset Management.

CPEE also welcomed additional industry leaders as new academic staff and presenters across our higher degree programs and short courses. CPEE congratulates our academic Dr Collette Burke, Victoria’s Inaugural Chief Engineer who was recently awarded the Kernot Medal by the Faculty of Engineering at Melbourne University for her contribution and impact on the profession. Previous winners include Sir John Monash. Sir John Holland, John Connell.

We were saddened at the recent loss of our alumnae and concrete pavement expert and presenter Justin Moss who has made a significant impact on the industry, Vale Justin.

We have been returning to face to face short course delivery – with our last course for the year on Stabilisation delivered with AusStab, with Geoff Webb presenting in Hobart on 7th of December. Only a few places left, so hurry, Centre for Pavement Engineering Education (pavementeducation.edu.au)

CPEE is working to create and connect a community of practice in the areas of Roads, Pavements, Transport, Asset Management and Project Management, CPEE will commence industry webinars in early 2023 to share insights of current snapshots and industry opportunities and challenges. We will be featuring a range of industry experts across the program and we invite you to be part of this free series.

Kind regards Madeleine McManus OAM, CEO CPEE