Engineering Graduates working in maintenance within the mining industry in Australia: capability and conceptual gaps

Himanshi Satnani, Melissa Marinelli, Sally Male, Ghulam Mubashar Hassan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference paperConference paperpeer-review

Abstract

CONTEXT
Misconceptions about engineering practice and the dominant fields of engineering work contribute to challenging education to work transitions for engineering graduates. Graduate engineers hold expectations of working in design or development, reinforced by the focus of engineering education curricula. However, the majority of engineers work on maintaining and overseeing existing systems. Understanding the engineering capabilities required by engineers practicing in the maintenance sector, and identifying capability and conceptual gaps for graduate engineers, can inform curriculum content and pedagogical approach. This study investigated the capabilities perceived as important by recent mechanical engineering graduates employed in the maintenance function, within the mining industry in Western Australia. It also explored graduate engineers’ understandings of engineering practice and of the maintenance function.

PURPOSE OR GOAL
This study addresses the question: “What are the self-perceived capability gaps for engineering graduates employed in the mining industry within the maintenance field?”

APPROACH OR METHODOLOGY/METHODS
The Critical Incident Technique (CIT) was used to collect and analyse data from eight graduate mechanical engineers currently working in the maintenance function of mining companies in Western Australia. Participants were asked to identify challenging situations experienced in their engineering work, and the capabilities that were required to overcome these situations. A qualitative thematic analysis process enabled identification of engineering capability gaps.

ACTUAL OR ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES
The ‘maintenance in mining’ engineering capability gap set encompassed self-perceived shortcomings in i) Relationships, ii) Personal Attributes, iii) Management and iv) Problem Solving. Three unique capability gaps were identified: i) the notion of a ‘tailored engineer’ requiring one to adapt and tailor communication to the receiving audience for effective communication, and the personal attributes of ii) courage and iii) ownership. The education practice gap extended to graduates’ lack of understanding of maintenance as a key function of engineering work, resulting from an absence of this sector in their tertiary education.

CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS/SUMMARY
This exploratory study has contributed to understanding of the capabilities perceived as important by recent mechanical engineering graduates employed in the mining industry, within the maintenance field. Findings indicate that graduate engineers in the mining industry, working within the maintenance function, experience education - practice gaps, encompassing engineering capabilities and conceptual understanding of the maintenance sector.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of Australasian Association for Engineering Education Virtual Conference 2020
PublisherAustralasian Association for Engineering Education
Number of pages9
Publication statusPublished - 7 Dec 2020
EventAustralasian Association for Engineering Education Virtual Conference 2020: Disrupting Business as Usual in Engineering Education - University of Sydney and University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Duration: 6 Dec 20209 Dec 2020
Conference number: 31st
https://www.aaee2020.com.au/

Conference

ConferenceAustralasian Association for Engineering Education Virtual Conference 2020
Abbreviated titleAAEE2020
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CitySydney
Period6/12/209/12/20
Internet address

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