WSP’s emerging engineers and scientists attend ‘Bootcamp’ to enrich their knowledge, skills and connection

Tyson Smallman, Senior Associate Geotechnical Engineer, co-coordinated the hybrid online and in-person programs, which were run in April and May. He says that the bootcamps are a valuable way for WSP’s emerging professionals to develop a consistent base of knowledge and to learn safe and effective ways to conduct fieldwork.

“The theoretical and practical elements of the bootcamps are important investments in the next generation of WSP engineers and scientists,” he says. “As well as theoretical sessions, the graduates also have some fun, meet new colleagues, strengthen relationships, and even don their hard hats and get their boots dirty.”

Each bootcamp included theory sessions as well as two in-person days in Melbourne, in which graduates toured WSP’s Richmond geotechnical and air-quality laboratories and enjoyed a day in the field, with hands-on experience of locating services, excavating, drilling, groundwater sampling, and conducting in situ geotechnical and contamination tests.

“I really enjoy seeing our new graduates networking and developing rapport with other graduates and professionals from across our many disciplines and offices,” says Tyson.

It’s an aspect that’s consistently identified in participant feedback as a highlight of the training programs.

Natalie Broz, Graduate Environmental Scientist, says “I loved meeting and sharing experiences with all the other Earth and Environment graduates from different states and some I hadn’t yet met even though we work in the same offices.”

For Natalie, the opportunity to work in contaminated land management at WSP connects her skills and her sense of purpose. “I am able to see the purpose of my work every day,” she says. “Cleaning up the environment will benefit the earth and people today, as well as the many generations to come.”

Grace Bendall-Pease, another Graduate Environmental Scientist focusing on contaminated land management, also enjoyed the bootcamp and is happy she chose WSP. 

Like Natalie and Grace, Spencer Hsu, Graduate Geotechnical Engineer, found the bootcamp “insightful and well structured” and enjoyed the opportunity to “put our learnings into context” in the field. “It was great to learn about the drillers and excavator operators’ perspectives,” he says, “including the rare opportunity to get into an excavator to understand their blind spots!”

Gio Olivar, another Graduate Geotechnical Engineer, says that the bootcamp was not only highly enjoyable and informative, but also “improved my technical and interpersonal skills, which will make me a better field engineer.”

The bootcamps provide a broad introduction to aspects of health, safety and environment, company structure and contract types, managing working relationships, roles and responsibilities of a field engineer/scientist and preparing for fieldwork. They also cover principles of geology and hydrogeology, soil logging and rock logging, groundwater well installation and sampling, managing field records, and asbestos awareness.

“We’re proud to be enriching our graduates with well-rounded learning experiences and helping them connect widely with their colleagues,” says Tyson. “We’re confident that these smart people will soon be delivering great results for our clients and shaping successful, safe and sustainable solutions for the challenges of today and the future.”

To find out more about the opportunities for emerging professionals at WSP visit our early careers page.