The objective is to enhance the experience of the participating engineer and contractor so that they each gain insights into the working practices of the other discipline (contractor/design consultancy), and to expose them to the everyday challenges faced in project management, but from the other side of the fence!
The participants in the inaugural programme are Tom Egan Project Engineer, Winthrop Engineering& Contracting and Kerry Taylor, Design Engineer, Axiseng consulting engineers. The project is Spencer Dock in the north Dublin docklands.
The workshare exchange programme commenced in May and is scheduled to run to the end of July. During this period Kerry and Tom will carry out their normal duties on the project, but will also work in the respective exchange company for one day a week over the course of the three months. To guide and support them within each company there are two mentors – Richard Vaughan, Principal Engineer, Axiseng and Thomas Sheridan, Project Manager, Winthrop Engineering & Contracting.
At the end of the exchange programme the two participants will provide feedback to the participating companies covering topics such as:
• Scope of exchange work;
• Key lessons learned;
• What I will do differently as a result of this programme?
• How has the programme shaped my view of building services?
They will also be presented with a CIBSE Ireland Exchange Programme certificate.
In addition, there will be a major spread in the August/September issue of Building Services News. Here both Kerry and Tom will detail their experience of the workshare exchange programme, articulate their respective learning outcomes, explain what they would change, and suggest ideas for further development of the programme going forward. ■