With COVID-19 restrictions preventing a regular face-to-face meeting, the technological resourcefulness of Early Career Group (ECG) members was tested – successfully – with a ‘virtual’ meeting, held 28th March.
Some 13 people attended, from companies including Expanded, Keller, Bachy, Bauer Technologies, Van Elle, BAM Ritchies and Murphy Ground Engineering. Though not ideal ‘virtually’ – the meeting was successful, with some members participating in the session while working on site, others remotely from home and one even while traveling via Bluetooth headset. It was also good to welcome some new members to the group also!
Much was discussed but specifically, the Group agreed to organise several 1hr sessions over the summer, which will allow members to understand all the techniques available within the FPS. The first of these sessions is planned to be on Grouting at the end of June, and will be delivered by Keller.
Along with wanting to broaden the technique knowledge and understanding, there was a desire to learn about Contract types and some best practices commercially from within the FPS. It is hoped we can deliver a workshop on this topic shortly.
The group also expressed an interest in the FPS organising a session on Working Platforms, as there were quite a few members of the ECG who would like this training.
All members agreed that certain topics, such as the proposed Diversity session with Ebenezer Adenmosun, need to be delivered in person, and were worth waiting until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted sufficiently, in order that face-to-face meetings can commence again.
The group was also pleased to hear the FPS was reaching out via new media with the Podcasts and the forthcoming Webinars too, and on this theme, and there were questions raised about future steps like a video / YouTube episode, which the various FPS member companies can participate in.
It is hoped the next ECG meeting will be face-to-face, details will be announced in due course.
By David Major, senior estimator Expanded Geotechnical & FPS Member