communication: in writing, through memos and reports, orally to explain carefully
both to workers and customers, and with the help of engineering drawings, as and
when necessary. Other skills which are required include:
Problem solving: problems keep cropping up, and it is important to develop a
proper scientific approach for solving both minor and major engineering problems. One significant aspect is to examine several options, define a sound
methodology before producing a solution.
Application of scientific and engineering knowledge: Apart from the labour
workforce, it is necessary that staff do have some competence to apply knowledge
of mathematics, basic science and engineering sciences from first principles to
solve engineering problems. The Bollywood film 3 Idiots (2009) explains very
well the need to think differently, sometimes.
Design skills: Depending on their exact job, people will need to think creatively,
perform procedural and non-procedural design, and synthetize components,
systems or processes.
Investigations, and data analysis: When are recurrent, particularly of the same
type, it is high time that some investigations are carried out to test hypotheses,
through an adequate analysis of data collected or generated.
Softwares, IT skills, methods and tools: The use of softwares is probably necessary, but is only useful when the user understands what he or she is doing.
Softwares are useful for data analysis, applications of engineering methods,
production of reports or even maps and diagrams to communicate in-house or
to customers and third parties.
Impact of infrastructure activity: Any infrastructure project is developed for
eventual social benefits through infrastructure services. If employees can appreciate the impacts arising from the infrastructure activities on the environment and
in the society, they will be in a better position to deal with customers.
Individual, team and multidisciplinary working: Although staff may be required
to work on an individual level, there are many instances where groups and experts
from different areas of specialization need to work in teams, notwithstanding
multidisciplinary work. The previous Sect. 20.4.1 has also dealt with this topic.
Independent learning ability: Sometimes, even supervisors may be required to
take initiatives or decisions. Although not everybody is born with this skill,
proper on site training can develop such skills through encouraging independent
learning practices.
Engineering Professionalism: Ethics is a significant aspect of the training which
infrastructure employees need to understand. Different hierarchy levels will
require different levels of coverage, but the importance of economic designs
and of minimizing costs during construction or repairs cannot be underestimated.
The customer will have a better opinion of the infrastructure supplier when
service delivery is carried without any preference whatsoever, irrespective of
bribes offered.
Engineering Management: This is definitely for higher grades, but it is essential to
be able to use basic techniques from economics, business management; project
20.4 Human Resources Availability
585
both to workers and customers, and with the help of engineering drawings, as and
when necessary. Other skills which are required include:
Problem solving: problems keep cropping up, and it is important to develop a
proper scientific approach for solving both minor and major engineering problems. One significant aspect is to examine several options, define a sound
methodology before producing a solution.
Application of scientific and engineering knowledge: Apart from the labour
workforce, it is necessary that staff do have some competence to apply knowledge
of mathematics, basic science and engineering sciences from first principles to
solve engineering problems. The Bollywood film 3 Idiots (2009) explains very
well the need to think differently, sometimes.
Design skills: Depending on their exact job, people will need to think creatively,
perform procedural and non-procedural design, and synthetize components,
systems or processes.
Investigations, and data analysis: When are recurrent, particularly of the same
type, it is high time that some investigations are carried out to test hypotheses,
through an adequate analysis of data collected or generated.
Softwares, IT skills, methods and tools: The use of softwares is probably necessary, but is only useful when the user understands what he or she is doing.
Softwares are useful for data analysis, applications of engineering methods,
production of reports or even maps and diagrams to communicate in-house or
to customers and third parties.
Impact of infrastructure activity: Any infrastructure project is developed for
eventual social benefits through infrastructure services. If employees can appreciate the impacts arising from the infrastructure activities on the environment and
in the society, they will be in a better position to deal with customers.
Individual, team and multidisciplinary working: Although staff may be required
to work on an individual level, there are many instances where groups and experts
from different areas of specialization need to work in teams, notwithstanding
multidisciplinary work. The previous Sect. 20.4.1 has also dealt with this topic.
Independent learning ability: Sometimes, even supervisors may be required to
take initiatives or decisions. Although not everybody is born with this skill,
proper on site training can develop such skills through encouraging independent
learning practices.
Engineering Professionalism: Ethics is a significant aspect of the training which
infrastructure employees need to understand. Different hierarchy levels will
require different levels of coverage, but the importance of economic designs
and of minimizing costs during construction or repairs cannot be underestimated.
The customer will have a better opinion of the infrastructure supplier when
service delivery is carried without any preference whatsoever, irrespective of
bribes offered.
Engineering Management: This is definitely for higher grades, but it is essential to
be able to use basic techniques from economics, business management; project
20.4 Human Resources Availability
585