ENG5001 Professional Skills in Engineering: Assignment

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ENG5001 PROFESSIONAL SKILLS IN ENGINEERING
ENG5001 PORTFOLIO 1
SUBMITTED TO
DR. ANDREAS NATAATMADJA
BY
DANIEL OHIORENOYA (u1121489)
MARCH, 2020

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 lntroduction ......................................................................................................................…….3
2.0 Reflection - Engineers Australia Stage 1 Professional Competencies ..................................3
2.1 Knowledge and Skill Base ....................................................................................................4
2.1.1 (1.5) Knowledge of Engineering Design Practice & Contextual Factors ...............4
2.1.2 (1.6) Understanding Sustainable Practice .................................................................4
2.2 Engineering Application Ability ...........................................................................................5
2.2.1 (2.1) Application of Established Engineering Methods ............................................5
2.2.2 (2.3) Application of Systematic Engineering Synthesis and Design ........................6
2.3 Professional and Personal Attributes ............................................................................... …7
2.3.1 (3.2) Effective Oral and Written Communication .................................................... 7
2.3.2 (3.3) Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour ...............................................7
3.0 Reflection - Qualities of a USQ Graduate ..............................................................................8
3.1 Discipline Expertise .............................................................................................................. 8
3.2 Professionalism .........................................................................................................……….8
3.3 Global Citizenship ................................................................................................................ 9
3.4 Scholarship .............................................................................................................................9
3.5 Lifelong Learning ............................................................................................................ ...10
4.0 Reflection - Engineers Australia Generic Attributes of a Graduate ..................................11
4.1 Improving my technical qualities – an area of specialization .........................................11
4.2 Improving on my Professional attributes .........................................................................11
4.3 Personally developing these attributes .............................................................................12
5.0 Reflection - Definition of Hard & Soft Skills Desired by the Industry ..............................12
5.1 Soft Skills ............................................................................................................................12
5.2 Hard Skills ..................................................................................................................…....14
5.3 Industry demand for Soft and Hard skill ………………………………………………15
6.0 Reflection - Research Project …………………………………………………………….....16
6.1 Chosen Topics …………………………………………………………………………….16
6.2 Research of Population Growth ………………………………………………………....17
6.3 Nigerian Population Growth Predictions ……………………………………………….17
6.4 Adopted Methodology …………………………………………………………………....18
7.0 Reflection – Effectiveness of Study Desk Research Team ………………………………..18
8.0 Appendices …………………………………………………………………………………...19
8.1 References …………………………………………………………………………………19
8.2 Nigeria: Total Population (United Nations World Population Prospects ……………..20
8.3 Probabilistic projections of total fertility ………………………………………………..21

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1.0 INTRODUCTION
The ENG5001 course is fully centered around two themes. The first theme focuses on the
development of personal and self-management skills, while the second theme is developing
the basic skills and understanding of the stages and processes used when applying the
'engineering method' to problem-solving in a project-based environment. The fundamental
conceptual perspective from which this course ought to be interpreted can be defined as
'Global Change,' and more precisely, the long-term impact population growth will have on
the engineering sector from now until this century is ended.'
This portfolio focuses on some topics of which I have reflected on, these topics are;
• Engineers Australia Stage 1 competencies for professional Engineers
• The qualities of a USQ graduate;
• EA generic attributes of a graduate; and
Definitions of Hard and Soft skills desired by industry.
While reflecting, I would be focusing on my current professional accomplishments and
potential ambitions in terms of my engineering expertise, personal values, strengths and
competencies, and the ability to effectively carry out some levels of research on any
engineering problem.
In light of the Client Brief a component of assessment designed to develop and show
comprehension of the concepts of this course, under which the context is a global change and
the impact of transportation problems, I will give an overview of the following;
• My seemingly intended project; and
• My review of population growth and its projection
Finally, I will reflect on the effectiveness of my assigned team in developing and sharing
researched information and data for the anticipated project.
2.0 REFLECTING ON ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA STAGE 1 COMPETENCIES
Part of Engineers Australia's job, as Australia's largest engineering group, is to accredit
engineering degree programs. Stage 1 competencies (Engineers Australia, 2013) reflect a
graduate engineer's predicted baseline level of growth upon completion of a Bachelor of
Engineering degree.
Engineers Australia EA is basically the largest engineering association in Australia. They
have several jobs, and part of the job includes accrediting engineering programs in Australian
universities. The Engineers Australia stage 1 competencies reflect on a graduate engineer's
predicted baseline level of growth upon completion of a four year Bachelor of Engineering
degree. (Engineers Australia, 2013)
I completed a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical/Electronic Engineering in Nigeria, then I
went into the field and practiced as an electrical engineer for about five years, where I had the
opportunity to learn and improve on the previous knowledge I gained in my undergraduate

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years. However, now I have moved over to Australia and commenced a Master of
Engineering science (Power Engineering).
For this assignment, in reflecting on the EA stage 1 competencies, I will be reflecting on my
past experiences in the field of Engineering, writing about the technical aspects, and focusing
on the knowledge gained during my undergraduate studies and while working as an electrical
engineer. It is my intention to go back to my country and continue working full time as an
electrical engineer after my Master's program, which has strengthened my knowledge
through the study of Power Engineering with specialization in small scale renewable energy
technologies.
2.1 KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL BASE
2.1.1 (1.5) Knowledge of Engineering Design Practice & Contextual Factors
IOA: f) Identifies the structure, roles, and capabilities of the engineering workforce.
(Engineers Australia, 2013)
It was after I completed my bachelor's degree and started practicing as an engineer that I got
to appreciate the presence and relevance of the various engineering departments, their roles
and their functions in every engineering project. While practicing as an electrical engineering
supervisor and having to manage projects and supervise people, it afforded the opportunity to
interact with other engineering departments in order to successfully carry out the projects and
complete them within the required timeframe.
As an electrical engineer, in installing transformers in a project site, we require the help of
other engineering departments or disciplines. The civil engineering departments are in charge
of piling (a process whereby to support a structure, steel or concrete is pushed into the
ground) and doing the concrete framework on which the transformers will be positioned
while the mechanical department was in charge of using the cranes and placing them on the
supports constructed by the civil department and ensuring that all the mechanical properties
of the transformers were installed correctly according to the product specification. Once the
transformer has been placed perfectly on its support, we the electrical engineers then come in
and carry out the installation works on the transformer. This made me understand the
usefulness and relevance of every engineering discipline, especially in regard to engineering
projects.
2.1.2 (1.6) Understanding Sustainable Practice
IOA; a) Appreciates the basis and relevance of standards and codes of practice, as well as
legislative and statutory requirements applicable to the engineering discipline. (Engineers
Australia, 2013)
Most of the electrical works in the projects I was part of, was guided by the International
Standard Organization (ISO) standards, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
(IEEE) standards and international codes like the Euro Norms (EN), and IEC 60364, etc. My
purchased by our vendors for the project was of good quality, was in line with the project
specification, and met the ISO standard. The electrical processes or jobs performed on-site

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were also in accordance with this standard mentioned above, so as to meet the basic
requirements of a standard project.
IOA; b) Appreciates the principles of safety engineering, risk management, and the health
and safety responsibilities of the professional engineer, including legislative requirements
applicable to the engineering discipline.(Engineers Australia, 2013)
In terms of safety, I always ensured that my team members used the right tools for each job
and wore the right personal protective equipment PPE. I also refused my team to make any
electrical connection under the rain and in a non-conducive environment. Also, before
engaging in any engineering activity, it was a must to seek approval from the HSE
department by the issuance of the relevant work permit before any electrical activity could be
performed on-site.
IOA; d) Understands the fundamental principles of engineering project management as a
basis for planning, organizing, and managing resources.(Engineers Australia, 2013)
Being the Electrical Supervisor for the various projects in which I worked, I was responsible
for ensuring that the project's goals were safely achieved within the scheduled timeline and
within the stipulated budget from engineering through site implementation to commissioning
and start-up. I was also responsible for the quality of project deliverables for the Electrical
and Instrumentation Engineering design. With the analysis and approval of project
milestones, I communicate with Engineering support teams and external regulatory
stakeholders saddled with the responsibility of ensuring the project continues according to
plan.
2.2 Engineering Application Ability
2.2.1 (2.3) Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
IOA; a&c) Proficiently applies technical knowledge and open-ended problem-solving skills
as well as appropriate tools and resources to design components, elements, systems, plants,
facilities, and/or processes to satisfy user requirements. Executes and leads a whole systems
design cycle approach. (Engineers Australia, 2013)
In supervising and leading my team in the various projects I handled, I reviewed the detailed
engineering drawing design of the HV/LV Switchboard, Distribution Transformer,
Generators, Instrumentation, and Power Packages. I used manual electrical measurements to
manage earth sizing, lighting, and other equipment configurations. I prepared drawings using
Autocad, through a thorough analysis of the relevant engineering technical records based on
the detailed engineering. I addressed all site questions to satisfy the criteria of execution, to
understand the technical & functional specifications.
I collated the design data and managed the entire process, including document review and
finalization of design specifications; I handled technical questions directly from client
representatives and offered the best possible solution. I did the offshore platform lighting
calculations. I planned and prepared the Switchboards and Distribution Boards procedure for
commissioning according to the designed specification. I supervised the on-site installation of
low-voltage ABB panels. I supported the QA/QC team in carrying out testing tasks on the
assembled panels to ensure that they work according to clients' designs and specifications.

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I labeled all the electrical components in the panels, as seen in the design for quick
identification. I supervised and constantly monitored the installation of the already assembled
panels on the project site. Before being energized, I carried out pre-commissioning tests on
the assembled panels with the QC staff and the client representative. I anchored on-site
erection and commissioning activities to ensure project completion within the required
timeline and efficient use of resources to optimize cost parameters efficiency.
The supervisory position I occupied made me involved in every job that was being handled
by my team. This is because, according to my job description, I had to execute and lead my
team on every task that they embarked on in order to ensure that it was done according to the
project plan and specification and at the same time prevent the issuance of non-conformance
from the quality control team.
2.2.2 (2.4) Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of
engineering projects
IOA; a&d) Contributes to and/or manages complex engineering project activity, as a member
and/or as the leader of an engineering team. Proficiently applies basic systems engineering
and/or project management tools and processes to the planning and execution of project
work, targeting the delivery of a significant outcome to a professional standard. (Engineers
Australia, 2013)
Being a Supervisor required that I perform several activities, from preparing procedures, to
planning and taking part in all the engineering activities that involved my department.
So, as part of my job, I examined the drawings and the execution process as per the approved
drawings and then created the Electrical and Instrumentation Procedures for the whole
project. I created a Matrix for the project using MS. Excel spreadsheet to help track all work
completions on site. I planned and tracked the site activities as per the project schedule and
resolved various site related issues by liaising with the various subcontractors and attending
project meetings and design meetings as deemed necessary. I supervised and managed the on-
site construction work and delegated the work to the various team members.
I organized routine site inspection, which included creating a weekly and regular update,
inspection sheets, holding site meetings, writing reports, and making a presentation to project
manager and client representative. I supervised the entire electrical job, ensuring that it is
progressing according to accepted drawings. I provided successful site management and
supervision to ensure the project is carried out in a safe manner. I verified and assured that all
materials were being shipped to the site, and all inspection reports on the materials were
completed.
I managed on-site labour as relating to the planned workforce implementation. I liaised with
representatives of stakeholders and other representatives of suppliers to ensure that all work
on the site was carried out in compliance with all relevant quality standards.
Through the experiences I had on the job, my project management skills improved drastically
over time because the complexity of the work on-site meant that the technical or unforeseen
challenges that may arise to slow down the pace of the work always had to be tackled.

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2.3 Professional and Personal Attributes
2.3.1 (3.5) Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.
IOA; b&c) Understands the importance of being a member of a professional and intellectual
community, learning from its knowledge and standards, and contributing to their
maintenance and advancement and Demonstrates commitment to life-long learning and
professional development. (Engineers Australia, 2013)
Once I started practicing as an electrical engineer, I began to see the relevance of having an
understanding of other areas of engineering. One aspect caught my attention the most, which
happened to automation. I noticed that with the constant improvement in technology, most
systems or processes were being automated, especially in the packaging and manufacturing
industry, therefore I chose to do a certificate in automation engineering to broaden my
knowledge and improve on my expertise as an engineer.
In doing this course, I learned so much about the control processes of gas and fertilizer plants
and this knowledge gained including the certificate obtained increased my value in the
organization I was working at the time, and as such, I got a promotion to the position of an
Electrical supervisor with an added portfolio of overseeing the instrumentation department as
well.
Therefore, my position became that of an Electrical and Instrumentation Supervisor and
becoming a supervisor also meant I had to become a member of the Engineering Body of my
country (Nigeria Society of Engineers NSE) to function well in my new position, which I did
and then I also joined the International Society of Automation ISA. However, I could not
attain the chattered status of an Engineer in my country which I desired so much because I
had not spent the required number of years in the industry, before leaving and coming over to
Australia to do my masters in Power Engineering.
2.3.2 (3.2) Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
IOA; a) Is proficient in listening, speaking, reading and writing English, including -
comprehending critically and fairly the viewpoints of others; - expressing information
effectively and succinctly, issuing an instruction, engaging in discussion, presenting
arguments and justification, debating and negotiating - to technical and non-technical
audiences and using textual, diagrammatic, pictorial and graphical media best suited to the
context; (Engineers Australia, 2013)
During my work experience in supervising the electrical and sometimes the instrumentation
department, I interacted with a wide range of stakeholders in the projects that I completed.
This included engineers in the quality control department, maintenance and service engineers,
logistics engineers, third party companies, technicians, financial personnel, and health and
safety officers.
A few of these respective parties will always be associated with any given project. Those
parties also had different views based on their own perspectives and backgrounds when
designing a solution to an engineering problem. To me, it was necessary to understand this

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and use it in the design process to my advantage. The most successful designs were always as
a result of smart trade-offs between competitive and innovative solutions. I succeeded in
showing my initiative and leadership qualities while acknowledging the views of others to
implement engineering solutions created by a diverse range of stakeholders.
3.0 REFLECTION - QUALITIES OF A USQ GRADUATE
In this segment, I'll focus on how I explain each of a USQ graduate's attributes, how I intend
to build on these, and my thoughts about their potential relevance. The qualities are listed as
Discipline Expertise, Professionalism, Global Citizenship, Scholarship, and Lifelong
Learning (University of Southern Queensland, 2019) .
3.1 Discipline Expertise
The first rating,' Discipline Expertise,' means that the graduate is displaying signs of critical
interaction and theoretical understanding of the discipline chosen.
I have shown these signs by:
• Successfully completing my Bachelors and;
• Independently handlings project successfully over the past years after attaining my
first degree
I plan to improve this quality in myself:
• Through continuous learning from understudying experts in my field
• Doing international specialist certificate courses in electrical engineering and,
• Personal study
• Broadening my knowledge on other aspects of engineering.
It is my assumption that multi-disciplinary skills will be in great demand as the future
unfolds, and technological improvement increases because employers will seek to have
engineers with broad knowledge on all aspects of engineering, who can play a versatile role
in their organizations. Also, the fresh engineering graduate will be expected to be abreast
with emerging skills in specializations such as artificial intelligence and automated systems.
Nevertheless, even with the seeming emphasis on multi-disciplinary skills, it is my belief that
disciplinary expertise will always remain relevant in this century and beyond.
3.2 Professionalism
The second quality, "Professionalism," means that graduates are supposed to possess various
distinctive qualities and characteristics that define an expert in their chosen field of study.
Such skills or abilities like effective communication, numerical, and analytical skills must be
evident in their future organizations.
I have shown proof of such skills by:
• Building partnerships with stakeholders at all levels of the organization, and being
called upon from time to time to provide professional guidance
• Becoming a member of the International Society of Automation

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• Working as an Electrical and Instrumentation supervisor for different projects and
leading the team of electrical engineers to the successful completion of several
projects
• Showing innovation, effort, and enterprise when a specific challenge is posed
• Developing a high degree of both written and oral communication skills.
• Showing expertise in strategic planning, management, and organizational skills
I plan to improve my professionalism by:
• Attending training and workshops that focus on good communication and effective
leadership in the workplace.
• Attaining the chattered status of Engineers Australia
I think professionalism is one quality every graduate must possess, especially in terms of
communication and interaction. Effective leadership and good teamwork I believe, are the
end results of good communication even as the world continues to become more universally
interconnected. Every Engineer should have or develop good communication skills as this
will continue to play an important role in managing conflicts in the workplace and handling
any inevitable futuristic drawbacks.
3.3 Global Citizenship
The third quality "Global Citizenship" means that the graduate based on their chosen
discipline, have the ability to interface between practice and theory to benefit the
international community by enhancing economies ' sustenance, developing communities, and
keeping the environments safe and secure.
I have shown these abilities by:
• Liaising with international experts in the field of Electrical engineering while
performing some electrical maintenance jobs on site
• Designing and assembling automated electrical panels as well as importing the
relevant materials from international suppliers
• Improving my strong desire to find solutions to energy problems in developing
countries through the use of renewable energy.
I plan to improve this quality in myself by:
• Make the most of opportunities to participate in international projects
As the world experiences today several challenges and countries around the world move
through different stages of growth, international business opportunities will continuously
abound creating an avenue for the graduate engineer to excel by proffering solutions to these
challenges.
3.4 Scholarship
This means that the graduate has the capability to make an academic commitment through the
relevant skills they would have acquired in their work environments and more extensive
networks.
I have shown evidence by:

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• Using my project management skills to lead a team of electrical engineers and
complete several projects that were assigned to me.
• Preparing an electrical procedure for an entire project and created a matrix using MS.
Excel spreadsheet to help track all the completed jobs on the project site.
• Preparing procurement engineering documents, which included the preparation of
Material requisition, and Vendor Document Review based on the Electrical
installation plans and procedure.
I plan to improve my scholarship qualities by:
• Completing my Master's program in Power Engineering and focus my research on
Renewable energy, which I intend to use in helping communities in my home country
where there is an epileptic power supply.
In this era of improved technology and continuous technological advancement, It is
imperative that fresh graduates learn a skill either in their discipline or in other disciplines
and improve on what was learned during their undergraduate days, this will help in increasing
their market value and making them an asset to any organization under which they are
employed.
Also, the world today has a lot of problems that require solutions; therefore, graduates are
expected to be proactive in finding new and better ways to find solutions to these problems.
This could be achieved through good educational systems that imbibe concepts like research
and scholarship because, with good educational systems, we could have a brighter future and
have the world changed for the better.
3.5 Lifelong Learning
This shows that the graduate has a scholarly and long-lasting independent learning ability.
These characteristics may shift from one field of study to another.
I have shown evidence of lifelong learning by:
• Obtaining a certificate in automation
• Furthering my education with a higher degree in my area of specialization.
I plan to improve my lifelong learning by:
• Acquiring more skills in my area of expertise
• Improving on my leadership qualities and broadening my knowledge in my area of
expertise.
• Researching in order to find sustainable solutions to problems I may encounter in my
line of work
Learning is a continuous process; therefore, the value of continued professional growth
cannot be overemphasized in this present world of constant technological advancement, an
ever-changing environment that will only increase with time. From a work performance
perspective, it is of utmost importance to be up to date with the new technical developments.
This present generation, as compared to previous generations, has access to a large amount of
information, and almost instinctively, they communicate regularly and have a better
knowledge of technology and its usefulness.

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Generally, technology is designed to simplify and make their lives of people better.
Nevertheless, the sophistication and amount of expertise needed to make significant
improvements in the field of technology continue to increase, and so, the engineers and
technologists who design and construct the devices need to improve on their knowledge and
skill set.
4.0 REFLECTION - ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA GENERIC ATTRIBUTES OF A
GRADUATE
The generic qualities of a graduate, according to Engineers Australia, are specified in the
Engineers Australia Stage 1 competency requirements for a professional engineer (Engineers
Australia, 2013). I intend to list these terms and use them as a checklist to determine the
amount of accomplishment I have made with respect to my level of experience, stating the
areas where I need improvement and the areas where I believe I have performed excellently.
This will help in improving my current study performance and my desire to gain more
knowledge in my desired field of study or specialization.
4.1 Improving my technical qualities – an area of specialization
Working on different projects as an electrical engineer after my first degree, gave me the
opportunity to learn and gain the needed experience in my chosen discipline, however, has
encountered some challenges on-site and with my desire to improve in my knowledge of
electrical engineering and specializing in power generation through renewable resources, I
chose to do a masters program with USQ to aid in bringing solutions to the problems and
challenges I had faced on site. Therefore, I intend to develop these attributes below, during,
and by the end of my program:
• ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals;
• in-depth technical competence in at least one engineering discipline;
• ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution;
• ability to utilize a systems approach to design and operational performance;
These attributes, I believe, once developed, will bring about the much-needed improvement
in my career, help me in overcoming some of the challenges I previously encountered while
on the field, and it will help me function better as an engineer.
4.2 Improving on my professional attributes
I believe that I have developed a sense of professional and ethical obligation during my time
in industry, especially through the experience of certain circumstances I encountered in the
workplace. I am committed to the process of continuous learning, and this is going to
continue throughout my career. I believe I have the following attributes below and I intend to
carry on with them giving room for growth or improvement
• Understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities and commitment to them;
• The expectation of the need to undertake lifelong learning, and capacity to do so;
• Ability to communicate effectively, not only with engineers but also with the
community at large; and

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• Ability to function effectively as an individual and in multi-disciplinary and multi-
cultural teams, with the capacity to be a leader or manager as well as an effective
team member.
Good teamwork and the ability to communicate effectively both locally and internationally is
one attribute needed from every engineer that intends to be successful in their discipline or on
the field. Also, as professional engineers, we are expected to critically uphold the codes of
ethics to which we are bound and to ensure that we always behave in the best interest of the
engineering community. We must all devote ourselves to continuous learning in order to
remain important and knowledgeable as well as improving on the needed skills in our field.
4.3 Personally developing these attributes
There are some certain attributes that I do not have knowledge about because I have not
really had an understanding or been exposed to such areas. However, I am happy that I now
have the opportunity to learn new things, and I believe that by the end of my Master's
program, coupled with the present exposure to Engineers Australia's requirements and
attending their functions, I will have a better grasp of these attributes. These attributes are;
• Understanding of the social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities of the
professional engineer, and the need for sustainable development; and
• Understanding of the principles of sustainable design and development.
5.0 REFLECTION - DEFINITION OF HARD & SOFT SKILLS DESIRED BY
INDUSTRY
Skills are basic necessities in the search for a job, and they are also very essential in
executing job-related tasks, progressing on a job, and being able to stand out in an
organization. Skills are majorly divided into two, namely the "Hard and Soft Skills" which is
needed for the sustainability of a job role in an organization (Schulz, 2008).
In this section, I will be reflecting on soft and hard skills in engineering from an industry
point of view based on a few sources. Then I will reflect on the current demand for these
skillsets, and the possibility of an increase in the future demand of these skillsets.
In terms of my self-assessed ability in each skill, I have graded and grouped those.
5.1 Soft Skills
These are skills inherent in an individual, the personal attributes attributed to various
individuals that are often recognized or often referred to as "interpersonal skills," these skills
are often required in the day-to-day execution of an organization's job or operation. (Robles,
2012) listed ten main soft skills that are in demand by employers or business executives in
their workforce of today. I will be reflecting on these soft skills and doing a self-evaluation to
determine the soft skills I possess and the ones I would need to improve on.
There are three of the ten soft skills described in this resource which I believe I'm doing very
well at the moment:

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Responsibility – I usually take responsibility for any task assigned to me and ensure I do it to
the best of my ability. Also, having acted in the position of a supervisor, I always accept
responsibility for any shortcomings in regard to my team.
Positive Attitude – As an individual, I always believe everything is possible, and anything
can be achieved with the desired mindset. Therefore, I always incorporate this mindset into
everything I do to ensure I meet up with all my job requirements and make sure every
essential activity is completed before its deadline.
Integrity – I always believe in doing the right thing, especially in relation to the job. I do not
"cut corners" even when it could be an avenue to make free cash for myself and my team
during a project, I always ensure that everything is done right, from the purchase of site
materials to the type of materials purchased and to the installations of those materials, I
ensure they meet the projects specification; otherwise, those materials would not be used.
Work Ethic – I have a strong work ethic of "no rest until the job is complete," this has made
it possible to ensure the successful completion of duties assigned to me in a timely manner.
However, sometimes I feel this attribute affects my life outside the job because I tend to
focus more on my job and, in so doing, lose hold on other aspects of my life, especially
family.
Teamwork – I want to believe I am a great team player and a good leader. I take total control
of my team, ensuring that there is unity in purpose with one agenda in mind, which is the
completion of our given tasks. I do not find it hard to delegate as that happens to be one of
my strong points as a leader. Delegation makes every member of the team involved, and
because of the division of labor, it makes it possible for our given tasks to be completed in
record time.
Courtesy – I so much believe in being respectful and polite generally and even in the
workplace. I always ensure I treat everyone with maximum respect and even when I am not
happy with the job ethics or performance of a colleague or my subordinate, I ensure I express
my grievance in the calmest way possible, so they do not feel insulted.
Flexibility – I have the inherent ability to adapt and adjusting to changes, be it in the
workplace or the environment where I live. In the workplace, I am always willing to learn
and accept new things, and I am constantly ready to flow with the changes that may arise.
The last three skills are where I have some shortcomings and need some improvement

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Communication – although communication is a constant thing, I have issues with
communicating, especially in the workplace. I find it difficult to verbally express my ideas
effectively in ways people could understand, and this also affects my presentations because I
am usually not coherent in my speech. In terms of written communication, I am good at
report writing, but I also need some improvement in my writing skills in order to effectively
express my ideas clearly.
Professionalism – I think I have not been able to meet up with my idea of professionalism.
Most times in the workplace I usually engage in unprofessional conducts like receiving non-
work related calls during work hours, engaging in meaningless discussion with my colleagues
for a lengthy period of time, which sometimes affects my performance on the job as I have to
put in extra effort to complete tasks assigned to me.
Interpersonal Skills – due to my personality, I know I have to make a serious effort when it
comes to interpersonal skills. Generally, I am a reserved person, and so I find it very difficult
relating to people on a personal level even in the workplace, this for me, needs to be
improved.
5.2 Hard Skills
These are the expert knowledge and training that is needed to have been obtained for the
execution of a particular kind of job; they are not inherent but have been learned to allow a
person to perform the necessary task at any given moment. It's all about what you've learned
and what you know about the work function (technical expertise) (Laker and Powell, 2011).
Hard skills are also described as learnable, closely linked to a particular study program,
technical skills learned in schools or books, easy to quantify, track and measure (Burns,
1997).
Hard skills for me should include the following:
Degrees - I presently hold a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical/Electronic Engineering
from the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria and I am currently undertaking a Master of
Engineering Science in Power Engineering here in the University of Southern Queensland
(USQ)
Certificates - I have completed a certificate course in Automation Engineering and many
other short courses covering my area of expertise;
Report writing - I have extensive experience in writing different types of reports relating to
my current position, including daily site progress report, instrument test plans, electrical and
instrumentation procedures for an entire project, and testing forms used in checking the
quality of the job done.
Computers / IT - I am proficient in the use of the ETAP software, Wondaware InTouch
software, CAD software, the MS Office, and in using Siemens to program PLC's.

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To a large extent, I will say I have a clear understanding of the nature of my specialty, the
techniques, and processes associated with it. I believe I have an outstanding command of
engineering mathematics and other engineering methods, which is applicable to my discipline
in particular. This helps me and even extends through to everything I do professionally. I can
boldly say I have some outstanding competencies such as testing electrically installed
systems, analyzing test data, and good design modeling and operation.
I have a good understanding of the international regulations applicable to electrical designs
and installations, and I always ensure that these regulations are applied from the design stage
to the installation stage and then to the testing stage during commissioning after the complete
installation process.
Hard skills will remain important to the engineer as we progress into the future. Sadly, as
technology improves, some of the basic hard skillsets learned in school and over time will be
lost due to the fact that several jobs will be done with the aid of a computerized system
instead of the normal mathematical and engineering design approach that had previously been
used.
5.3 Industry Demand for Soft and Hard Skills
Before I left my home country to travel overseas for my Master's program, the employment
level of engineers in my home country had dropped drastically. Employers and business
executives chose to employ people outside my country (expatriates) to come to do the jobs
that were supposed to have been done by engineers trained in my country.
When employers were asked the reason behind such decisions, they said that the engineers
produced in my country were not well trained and needed to be retrained before they could
perform the needed job function and as such the employers decided to save cost by
employing expatriates to get the job done as quickly as possible in the most effective manner.
So, for employers in my home country, it has been very challenging getting suitable
candidates to replace these foreigners and get the job done.
In Nigeria, the skills gap is a major problem. It was noticed in the Nigerian Universities
commission Outlook (Beckett and O'Connell, 1977) that our college graduates took
approximately three years to find a job while high school graduates did much worse, taking
up to five years to do so. A main explanation for the skill gap is that many of the graduates
are not equipped with industry-relevant skills, especially in science and technology-related
industries. Public and private schools both face difficulties in producing students that can
meet the demands of industry.
The underdeveloped condition of the skills training system in public schools, obsolete
curricula, insufficient communication and collaboration between stakeholders on skills
requirements and training, insufficient accreditation of training programs, and limited
incentives for re-skilling is among the basics faced in the economy. (Okojie, 2008)
The Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) came out with an action plan. An "On the Job
Training" or internship program was created to fill the gap between academically learned

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skills and practical knowledge required by the industry to resolve this gap issue. (Aladekomo,
2004)The commission adopts policies and standards to keep up with the demands of global
competitiveness. Training is included and extended in the policies and curriculum as a
prerequisite for engineering, science, and other technical programs aimed at providing
students the ability and opportunity to immerse their discipline in specific industries.
A report from the Nigerian Society of Engineers NSE concluded that the capacity to develop
its own engineers to an international standard is restricted by decreasing engagement in high
school participation in science subjects and that our industry's dependence on overseas
engineers generates high rates of supply risk (Ife, 1989). They recommend that action be
taken to encourage more students to study science-related subjects in their last three years of
high school to form a basis for future engineering growth, to encourage more university
students to study engineering, at the same time do certifications in other specializations and
to implement strategies to retain qualified professionally trained engineers to help bring up
the upcoming engineers to the required standard.
Sadly, as I found in my own schooling, the emphasis was more on the development of soft
skills, which accounts for my success today in having managed different engineering teams
while handling various projects as an engineering supervisor. However, I have had to put in
much individual effort in developing my hard skills in order to improve my market value and
make me excel in my area of expertise.
6.0 REFLECTION - RESEARCH PROJECT
In this section, I will be reflecting on the client brief while focusing on the context of global
change, and I will highlight various topics I have considered and my preferred chosen topic. I
will also show my findings on the research carried out on population growth and its future
projections. Then lastly, I will reflect on the project team that I was assigned to and their
effectiveness.
6.1 Chosen Topics
In thinking about the client brief in the context of 'Global change' and focusing on finding a
solution to real-world problems which in this case is 'Transportation Problems' (lack of good
and functioning railway system, congestion on our roads, constant traffic, accidents, slow
movements of freight goods around the country, etc.), I considered different probable
solutions from the engineering point of view which included,
• Manufacturing more electric vehicles to reduce the funds spent on gas or fuel
• Constructing more toll roads and reducing the toll fee
• Establishing traffic management measures to provide partial relief to congestion on
the road.
For my project, I am looking at three different project options, which I am still researching on
and intend to make my final choice in portfolio 2. The project ideas I have are
Focusing on Waterways transport, I am looking into providing a viable means of transport
through the waterways to reduce the problem of congestion or traffic on the roads. To do this;
i. For this project, I will be using ferries as the means of water transport in the
coastline of the particular region chosen. An App will be created like that of

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Translink here in Australia to inform passengers of its movement schedule, and it
will not only provide comprehensive trip-planning services and real-time arrival
information but also help enhance service to local transit agencies by offering the
city the data it needs to build more effective routes. Then passengers will have the
opportunity to plan their journey ahead of time.
ii. Also, for those who intend to transport goods within a short timeframe from one
point to another, an Uber-like App will be created from which they can book
down for their transport and know the estimated amount and estimated time it will
take for their goods to arrive in the hands of their customers. More research and
literature review will be carried out in portfolio 2
The next project I intend to look into is the production of autonomous vehicles that functions
using electricity. I will also research into the possibility of using renewable energy sources to
power these vehicles (Mitchell, 1962), and this is to;
• Reduce the number of carbon emissions going into the atmosphere that pollutes our
environment, making it unsafe for us. It will reduce transport energy consumption by
about ninety percent;
• Improve safety as over ninety-two percent of accidents on the roads are as a result of
human error;
• Improve transport interconnectivity
• Reduce costs and maintenance requirements; and
• Congestion on our roads will also be reduced, and the government will profit more
from it
The last project I intend to research will be improving the network of roads and constructing
better roads, especially interconnecting roads linking the rural areas to urban areas for the
delivery of goods, also focusing on the possibility of building toll roads to provide faster
movements for motorists at a reduced cost.
All these are the project ideas I have reflected on and plan to research further into them doing
an extensive literature review and deciding on the best possible solution to the transport
problem in the region that I have chosen.
6.2 Research on Population Growth
Nigeria, my home country is the region of interest for my anticipated projects listed above, so
I will concentrate on the predictive models available for this nation. Population clock,
according to the United Nations latest data, Nigeria's population was over 204 million by 20
March 2020. (United Nations, 2019)
6.3 Nigerian Population Growth Predictions
Nigeria's population is estimated to reach 402 million by 2050, according to the United
Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects 2019 (United Nations, 2019)

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Nigeria will then become the world's 3rd most populous nation. In 2100 Nigeria's population
could exceed 740 million. Although the total population is projected to increase, the growth
rate is predicted to decline from 1.2% per annum in 2010 to 0.4% per annum in 2050.
The website of the United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects 2019
gives a probabilistic prediction of Nigeria's population out to the year 2100. This model
indicates a projected median population of 733 million in 2100. With an 80 percent
confidence interval, the population range is 423 million 1.2 billion. A confidence interval of
95 percent applies to the range between 322 million to 1.4 billion by 2100, as seen in the
graph on Appendix 9.2 (United Nations, 2019)
6.4 Adopted Methodology
The published 'UN Population Estimates and Projections Methodology' offers a thorough
explanation of how the forecasts are calculated. This explores the process of combining
census data with fertility, mortality, and net foreign migration to estimate future populations
using the process of 'trend extrapolation.'
Historically, fertility rates can be seen to follow a three-phase cycle across all countries.
Phase I is a high fertility stage, Phase II is a progression down to and coalescing at a low
fertility rate, and Phase III is the low fertility stage after the transition. Every country in its
transition is at a different point, based on their level of growth.
For Nigeria, it is also estimated that the fertility rate will decline from 20.6% to 13.6%, while
the Mortality rate is expected to rise from 8.3% in 2010 to 9.5% in 2050.
The prediction on Life expectancy is that it will increase from 68.0 years in 2010 to 75.4
years in 2050. It is estimated that by 2050, 69.8 percent of the population will live in urban
areas, compared to 50.6 percent in 2010.
For the purpose of my project, I will use the estimated year 2050 total population of about
402 million. This will provide an opportunity for the project to expand over the years to meet
with the country's increasing population.
7.0 Effectiveness of Study Desk Research Teams
The research groups for this course seem to be a good idea in principle; in practice, I do not
think it works as is expected.
In my view, based on the explanations received during lectures from the examiner and based
on the context of the Client Brief, the scope and intent of the research teams were well
defined. The goal of the research group's I believe was to post tools of common interest like
world transportation problems, global population statistics, or global warming in order for
there to be interaction and exchange of ideas and also to explore perfectly the idea of
teamwork.
However, because the objective of the project course is an individual assignment, covering a
topic of personal interest to each student, the research groups do not seem to function as
intended because everyone is trying to get their assignment done and no one bothers about
interacting or exchanging ideas on the group, I am also at fault in that area.

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Also, through my observations of the research group forum discussions (including my own
group), it is quite apparent that some individuals do not have the right idea of what is
expected of the groups. At the same time, the few groups someone tried to initiate interaction,
the members were not usually responsive on time, and sometimes even the responses were
not clear enough, and the examiner had to step in to provide better information.
So, at this level, one thing is clear. That while there are several students participating in this
course, as seen on the study desk, there is a general lack of comment on the forums. The only
way I think that the members of each research group could be active is if the examiner
decides to attach some marks to posting and interacting on the research groups; otherwise, the
main idea for setting up these groups would not be achieved.
8.0 APPENDICES
8.1 References
ALADEKOMO, F. O. 2004. Nigeria educational policy and entrepreneurship. Journal of social sciences,
9, 75-83.
BECKETT, P. & O'CONNELL, J. 1977. Education and Power in Nigeria: A study of university students,
Hodder & Stoughton London.
BURNS, P. M. 1997. Hard-skills, soft-skills: undervaluing hospitality’s ‘service with a smile’. Progress
in Tourism and Hospitality Research, 3, 239-248.
ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA, E. A., CANBERRA 2013. Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional
Engineer. .
IFE, A. 1989. Brain Drain in Nigeria: Technological Development Through Self-Reliance, Selected
Speeches-The Nigerian Society of Engineers. Vantage publishers (Int'l) Limited 15tEdition,
Ibadan, Nigeria.
LAKER, D. R. & POWELL, J. L. 2011. The differences between hard and soft skills and their relative
impact on training transfer. Human resource development quarterly, 22, 111-122.
MITCHELL, R. B. 1962. Transportation Problems and Their Solution. Proceedings of the American
Philosophical Society, 106, 170-176.
OKOJIE, J. A. Licensing, accreditation and quality assurance in Nigerian Universities: Achievements
and challenges. a session of the 2008 council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
Summer Workshop, 2008.
ROBLES, M. M. 2012. Executive perceptions of the top 10 soft skills needed in today’s workplace.
Business communication quarterly, 75, 453-465.
SCHULZ, B. 2008. The importance of soft skills: Education beyond academic knowledge.
UNITED NATIONS, U., DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL AFFIARS 2019. Total Population
Nigeria. World Population Prospects 2019.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND, U. 2019. Qualities of a Graduate Policy.

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8.2. Nigeria: Total Population (United Nations World Population Prospects)
Explanation: These charts show estimates and probabilistic projections of the total
population for countries or areas, geographical aggregates and World Bank income groups as
defined in Definition of Regions. The population projections are based on the probabilistic
projections of total fertility and life expectancy at birth. These probabilistic projections of
total fertility and life expectancy at birth were carried out with a Bayesian Hierarchical
Model. The figures display the probabilistic median, and the 80 and 95 per cent prediction
intervals of the probabilistic population projections, as well as the (deterministic) high and
low variant (+/- 0.5 child).

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8.3 Probabilistic Projections of Total Fertility using fertility estimates
Projections of Total Fertility: Median, 80% / 95% prediction intervals
Explanation: These charts are from the Bayesian Hierarchical Modeling of total fertility that
has been carried out with fertility estimates. Please note that only a small selection of the
probabilistic trajectories of total fertility is displayed (gray lines) for illustration. The median
projection is the solid bold red line, and the 80% and 95% projection intervals are displayed
as dashed and dotted red lines respectively. At the country level, the high-low fertility
variants correspond to +/- 0.5 child around the median trajectory displayed as blue dashed
lines. The replacement-level of 2.1 children per woman is plotted as green horizontal dashed
line only for reference.