The RTSA, in collaboration with Engineers Australia, has developed a program that will assist young graduates within the railway industry to acquire practice competencies and to gain peer recognition. The new Professional Development Assessment Program (PDAP) has been designed specifically for the railway industry and it will provide a structured framework for training and for mentor support. The PDAP focuses upon the competencies gained during training and development and it will provide for benchmark assessments. The PDAP will also be a mechanism for the achievement of professional recognition, including Chartered status. The RTSA is the first industry-based organization to offer such a structured professional development opportunity for the whole of an industry sector through Engineers Australia. The goal of this initiative is to lift the professional standing of the industry and develop the skill base for the future of the industry. The program will be open to all RTSA members and potential members. Workshops offered as part of this program will address the processes involved for both young and experienced engineers. The PDAP workshops will assist the participants to identify competencies gained during development processes and the documentation of them in Career Episode Reports. The workshops will also provide assistance with Mentor support. The PDAP workshops will be conducted as part of the RTSA’s on-going Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program of technical meetings conducted in each State by RTSA Chapters. RTSA corporate members also will have the opportunity to participate in the Program. At the launch of the Program Ravi Ravitharan, RTSA Executive Chairman, stated that while many larger organizations in the railway industry offered graduate development programs, the fragmentation of the industry demands an initiative such as the PDAP to provide development opportunities for all participants in the industry, particularly those professionals in smaller organizations. The new PDAP was formalized at the RTSA Professional Development Symposium in Melbourne on 19 July 2007 by Dr Maurice Allen, Director, Education and Assessment, on behalf of Engineers Australia. Dr Allen congratulated the RTSA for its vision in providing this development opportunity as part of its on-going commitment to the development of RTSA members and the railway industry as a whole.
RTSA PDAP Flowchart (pdf 22kb)
RTSA PDAP Application Form (pdf 45kb)
RTSA - EA PDAP Agreement dated 19 September 2007 (pdf 142 kb)
First to Join the RTSA PDAP Program
Naty Lee, who recently joined the railway industry, is the first person to enroll in the Professional Development Assessment Program (PDAP) introduced by the Railway Technical Society of Australasia (RTSA).
She completed a Mechanical Engineering Degree with Honours at Monash University in October 2007. She worked as a graduation student with the world renowned Institute of Railway Technology (IRT) at Monash University from November 2006 gaining valuable knowledge and experience in how railway systems work. Then following her graduation she was accepted as an IRT graduate engineer and has worked on several rail defects-related projects for various Australian rail-based organizations.
Naty is looking forward to an exciting and challenging career in the railway industry. She is a graduate member of Engineers Australia (EA) and a member of the RTSA.
The RTSA has worked closely with EA to develop the RTSA Professional Development Assessment Program which is designed specifically to suit the requirements for career development within the railway industry. It should be noted that the RTSA is the first industry based organization to introduce a structured professional development program which is now accessible for all young graduates within the railway industry.
Wanted - RTSA PDAP Coordinator
The RTSA have implemented a Professional Development Assessment Program (PDAP) designed specifically for the railway industry to improve the standing of railway professionals and to help the railway industry to address the critical shortage of skilled work force. RTSA is currently seeking assistance from a retired or semi-retired railway professional to coordinate and manage this program. RTSA will be happy to partially remunerate for the effort involved in this role.
Wanted - Mentors
The RTSA is currently seeking expression from experienced professionals to provide mentoring support for young graduates joining the railway industry. Research has shown that mentoring provides significant benefits to those who are providing the support. The benefits include improved professional recognition, an increased support network and provision of intrinsic satisfaction and self fulfilment in playing a part in shaping the future of the railway industry.
For additional information on RTSA Professional Development Assessment Program, please contact RTSA Executive Chairman, Ravi Ravitharan on ravi.ravitharan@eng.monash.edu.au
