Graduates and Students Network

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Draft Policy Paper ICE GSNet Conference – 11/12 April 2008 Working with the President’s Apprentices Originated by: Kieran Owens, Vice Chair (Innovation)

Presented by: Kieran Owens, Vice Chair (Innovation)

A. Introduction

1. A debate among GSNet committee was held to discuss how the GSNet and President’s Apprentices (Pas) can work better together, and how the PAs can be used to promote GSNet issues.

2. Initially some of the current shortfalls or concerns of the current scheme were put to the committee to consider and offer opinions and feedback as to how each could be addressed and possibly be improved. Some issues considered included:

a. Isolation of the President’s Apprentices (PAs) from regional and national graduate committees.

b. The scheme lacked some overall direction and continuity from year to year.

c. Some confusion as to what the PAs actually do.

3. In trying to find solutions for these issues some other possibilities were considered which could resolve some of these issues. These included:

a. Improved linkages between all parties involved.

b. Interaction between the PAs and GSNet.

c. The PAs could get involved at regional committees.

d. Improved objectives/requirements for the PAs.

e. Possibility of incorporating a theme into each PAs role.

f. Improved interaction between all current PAs.

4. After some group discussions, open floor discussions occurred where each of the items previously highlighted were rigorously debated among the committee. After some intense and sometimes heated discussions a number of ideas and solutions to these issues were highlighted and are as follows in this paper.

B. Discussion points

1. PAs involvement in regions. It was suggested that PAs take a ‘grass roots’ approach to ICE by getting involved with their own regional committees. Many of the current PAs are involved at regional

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level but some are not and it was felt that this would be a necessary position to start. PAs should introduce themselves to their regional committees and offer feedback to their committees when possible. PAs could help spread the Presidents objectives/strategy for the year among the G&S members. PAs may be ideally positioned to promote Civil Engineering in the schools of their area.

2. PAs involvement with GSNet. Many felt that it was worthwhile to have some sort of interaction between GSNet and the PAs. Options like having two different PAs present at each GSNet meeting/conference and having some sort of involvement in these events was deemed beneficial. Feedback could then be conveyed directly to the President by the PAs.

3. Interaction between PAs. Apprentices should meet up together more regularly and work together. It may be useful for the PA’s to meet up throughout the year. A weblog is available but face-to-face meetings may improve networking between PAs. However, it was suggested that it was important that PAs do not become an alternative GSNet.

4. The possibility of fixing themes to each PA. The possibility of each PA having a specific theme applied to their work was discussed. It was thought to have both positive and negative effects. In summary, it was considered that the agenda for each incoming year was decided by the President and that his overall strategy for the year should be the basis for theme selection for the PA’s. Consequently, it was suggested that it would be beneficial in the remit varying each year between Presidents.

5. Fluctuating numbers of PAs The scheme is running in its third year now with a different number of PAs taken onboard each year. It may eliminate a lot of confusion if this number could be fixed. It was suggested that some sequence or format could be put in place where each region has an opportunity to be represented bi-annually for example.

C. Feedback from current PAs

1. Feedback from some current PAs also lead to other issues that need to be addressed in order to improve the scheme. Views from some PAs are as follows;

a. Whilst requirements and opportunities of the scheme were made clear at the beginning, there was still a lack of knowledge as to what actually lay ahead for the PAs in their year in post.

b. PAs in general are very keen to get involved at all levels of ICE but lack the opportunities or direction how to, it is obvious that the links are not in place for improved networking or communication.

c. Current PAs have been working on preparing a paper for a Sustainability conference in Egypt. PAs would welcome more work which deals with current issues such as sustainability etc.

d. PAs believe more could be done to promote the scheme within NCE and in other publications to raise the profile of the scheme and to attract a bigger number of entries for the scheme.

e. PAs are extremely positive towards the promotion of Engineering and more specifically Civil Engineering and would welcome any opportunity to promote it. Meetings with local councillors/MPs were suggested as one vehicle for achieving this.

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D. Other issues raised

1. Some other issues or more specifically questions raised among the committee which may warrant further discussion are as follows;

a. Should PAs have to demonstrate prior involvement with ICE, as part of the selection process?

b. Who exactly should be involved in the selection process?

c. There is a need for a ‘Best Practice’ format for the scheme with defined purposes and objectives.

d. Towards the end of their year, PA’s should feedback their experiences to an organisation outside of ICE, such as a local school, university or college. This may assist in raising the profile of ICE.

e. It may be advantageous for the PAs to ‘shadow’ the President at the beginning and closer to the end of their term together.

f. It is necessary to have synergy between what the PAs are doing and what GSNet are doing.

g. PAs should be the President’s eyes and ears in the different regions and should give feedback as necessary.

h. Regional committees to do more to recognise PAs and get them involved in meetings and possibly allow them to give a talk on their experiences towards the end of their year in term.

i. PAs could work more closely with the Membership Development Officers (MDOs), when not with the President. The PA’s could assist in raising the profile of the Learned Society.

E. Conclusions

1. This paper highlights many issues which need to be addressed with regards the President’s Apprentices scheme. Many solutions and options were offered and also many more questions were put forward. Some issues have several alternatives whilst some do not and many be best left as they are. As a result of an annual change of President a number of issues need to remain flexible and open-ended so as incoming Presidents can influence themes as they see fit to merge with their overall strategies etc.

2. To conclude the questions that are posed are what sustainable changes can be made to improve the scheme? How can the profile of the scheme be raised? How can the scheme be streamlined so as the transition from one year to the next can be achieved as smoothly and uncomplicated as possible?

F. Actions and Recommendations

1. Actions and recommendations to be finalised for the Conference Paper following feedback from the regions.