A lack of investment in the development of skills for consulting engineering human resources over many years has resulted in a skewed and unbalanced scenario in the industry. When a graph is plotted showing the number of engineers against the age of these engineers, the picture that emerges is a graph of two peaks with the older (close to retirement) engineers on one peak and young (recently graduated) engineers on the other with a trough of middle management between the two peaks. 

The immediate challenge to the industry is the constraint faced by under-resourced middle management engineers in providing adequate experiential training of upcoming young engineers. The CESA Business of Consulting Engineering (BCE) programme is an annual development programme that provides a solution to this gap in human resource development. Presented by CESA’s School of Consulting Engineering, the BCE equips engineering staff in the consulting environment with the non-technical skills which form an integral part of the work of a consulting engineer, but which are not part of a normal tertiary engineering education programme.

“The 2018 BCE 2018 has given me the tools to hone my practice and knowledge about consulting engineering. The intense programme has provided the opportunity to gain knowledge that would otherwise take years to obtain, through trial and error,” says Danvir Maharaj from UWP Consulting.

The BCE Programme is aimed at engineers and technologists with some experience in a consulting engineering environment. It is also suitable for other technical staff and senior engineering personnel employed in a consulting engineering firm. It is an ideal platform for engineers and technologists who have the potential to rise rapidly towards senior levels of management and responsibility in their firms and bring with them the skills and capability required at such levels. The students learn about the consulting engineering environment, project delivery, finance, legal and contractual matters while being supported by a facilitator who mentors and coaches each student to develop into a well-rounded professional who can become a future leader in the industry.

The 2019 BCE training programme promises to be one of the most successful ever. The course runs from February to December each year and a maximum of 25 students are accommodated. Students attend three one-week contact sessions in Johannesburg and have to prepare and submit written assignments throughout the programme. In addition, there is a written exam at the end of the year, all of which are factored into assessing the success or otherwise of prospective students. Only successful students are awarded a certificate upon completion of the Programme.