Competency Assessment and Development Plan for Mechanical Engineers

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ETHICS
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Table of Contents
Section-1: Self-Introduction............................................................................................................3
Section-2: Megatrends and Challenges...........................................................................................4
Section-3: Goals...............................................................................................................................7
Section- 4: Ethics and Professional Values.....................................................................................8
Section-5: Competency Assessment..............................................................................................10
Section-6: Competencies Improvement/ Professional Development Plan....................................13
References......................................................................................................................................15
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Section-1: Self-Introduction
I, Palla Ramshekar, graduated in B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering in 2013 from Vignana
Bharathi Institute of Technology. I have experience as a Business Development Executive in The
Global Associates and Site Engineer in Nuevosol Energy Private Limited. I participated in many
extra-curriculum activities. I got a certificate for participation in Robotics workshop, sports in
schools and colleges, and participation in an essay writing competition in T.S. Police department.
My key hobbies are listening to music and swimming. I possess excellent communication skills
and have the ability to teamwork. I am good at reflecting inter-personal skills such as work ethic,
listening, positive attitude, and relationship management. I believe in friendliness and amicable
nature. I am very much aware of the fact that the business world is highly flexible where changes
emerge frequently. It is the reason I developed the capability to make adjustments in any
environment. I participated in two major academic projects. First is study on manufacture of wet
slip type of wire drawing machine. The second project was testing and preventive maintenance
of Air Brake system on WDM-2/WDM-3 Locomotive. With the current report, I would develop
a learning and development plan for enhancing the professional competencies for myself.
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Section-2: Megatrends and Challenges
The construction industry of Australia has been overgrowing with the increase in the activities of
building and construction. It has found that Australian Construction Industry has attained a high
peak in the last three years as equals to the mining boom. As per the reports, the building and
construction work activities reached $247 billion. The growth of the Australian Construction
Industry has accounted for more than 14 per cent of GDP. The recent trends in ACI have
identified as non-residential building and infrastructure growth (Parthenidou, 2019). It has
forecasted that ACI will offer more than 1.2 million jobs in the year 2019, and this will constitute
approximately 10 per cent of Australian employment.
It has identified that ACI will assist mainly in reducing the unemployment rates of Australia. The
growth in infrastructure projects will help in developing more than 1 million employees.
However, this industry has been dealing with specific difficulties mainly with limited human
resources. It means that there is a considerable difficulty for contractors as well as design
consultants in attaining skilled and capable staff for the projects and companies. Also, the main
reason for the non-availability of experienced staff implies inadequate pay and wages
(Houspect.com.au, 2017).
In Perth, it has expected that there will be higher construction volumes in 2019. At present,
different infrastructure projects have been undertaken in Perth named the Mitchell and Kwinana
Freeways and others. The initiation of some infrastructure projects in Melbourne has been
realised facing limited resources and high construction costs. However, it has forecasted that the
completion of these projects will lead to the market stabilisation at the end of 2019.
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(Figure: Trends in Australian Capex and Construction Activity of 2019)
(Source: By Parthenidou, 2019)
This analysis shows that capital expenditures have been increased by 0.5% in the last quarter of
2018 by private businesses. However, The Australian Bureau of Statistics forecasted that this
investment would increase gradually with the increase in infrastructure projects and private
companies (Parthenidou, 2019).
The rapid adoption of advanced technologies in ACI has been increasing its productivity. These
technical tools are Artificial Intelligence, 5G connectivity and drones which requires specific
technical skills. Here, a new challenge has emerged in the industry which implies a shortage of a
skilled workforce. It has noted that the ageing workforce and lack of experience have contributed
to the difficulties of ACI (Arnott, 2019). Implementing the latest technical tools requires a skilled
workforce which seems inadequate.
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(Figure: Analysis showing Forecast of Non-residential building activity)
(Source: By Jwcc.com.au, 2017)
After a few years of declination, the ACI has forecasted a gradual recovery in non-residential
building activity from the year 2019. It comprises the increase in offices, retail buildings,
commercial building, and industrial buildings. It shows the uplifting in business investment,
employment, and economic growth. The growth of infrastructure construction for water, rail, and
roads will neutralise the falls in the infrastructure of mining and commodity export as well as
already initiated residential building (Jwcc.com.au, 2017).
The megatrends for mechanical engineers in ACI in the year 2019 have assisted in shaping the
industry for many years. These megatrends comprise the smart data, the Industrial Internet of
Things, cybersecurity, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI has been shaped like a massive part in
the functioning of day-to-day operations while Industrial IoT technologies have been assisting
companies in gaining a competitive advantage by the implementation of digital methods with
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efficiency. Overall, it concludes that digital technologies are integrating with mechanical
engineering rapidly (Jwcc.com.au, 2017).
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Section-3: Goals
My ultimate career objective is finding a rewarding and challenging career where I get
opportunities for exhibiting communication and innovative skills to the best possible manner for
the betterment of the organisation. Based on this, my career goals are getting a challenging job of
mechanical engineering in the Australian Construction Industry within three months. Another
goal is to attain the opportunity for learning and to improve professional and personal skills for
enhancing my performance (Zacher, 2014). I am very well aware of what expectations are placed
on by the clients/employers when employing an individual.
As a Mechanical engineer, I would make my best efforts for fulfilling the expectations of the
employer. I would apply my skills and knowledge to the best for performing the duties and
responsibilities assigned to me. I would contribute to establishing a positive working
environment within the organisation. I would exhibit my competencies and skills in a way that
can contribute to the enhancement of the organisational performance and environment. The
employers of the organisations engaged in ACI requires skilled and young workforce. I believe
that the Australian Construction Industry provides challenging jobs which would be suitable for
attaining my career goals (Di Fabio, and Kenny, 2015). I would be an appropriate fit for such
employment due to my innovative, flexibility, adaptability, and communication skills.
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Section- 4: Ethics and Professional Values
I believe that ethics and values enhance professional development. The Australian Code of
Conduct for engineers provides guidelines that reflect the principles and values for shaping the
decision-making in engineering practice. The engineers require the application of skills and
knowledge to provide benefits to the community for developing engineering solutions so that a
sustainable future can establish. I would follow the below-mentioned code of values and ethics in
the practice of mechanical engineering.
Professional ethics
 Demonstration of integrity implies honesty and trustworthiness. Further, it reflects on
acting with a well-informed conscience and respecting the dignity of other people
working together. Well-informed conscience signifies acting without partiality and
subjectivity (Bradley, 2013).
 Leadership exercise emphasises on providing support and encouragement to the diversity
within the organisation. It promotes upholding of the reputation as well as trustworthiness
of the engineering practice. Moreover, it implies undertaking effective and honest
communication considering the reliance of other people on the expertise of mechanical
engineering.
 Competent practising states the development and maintenance of the skills and
knowledge required for a mechanical engineer. It encourages the objective representation
of the competence area by practising within the competence area and avoiding
misrepresentation and falsification. It implies the individual to act as per the quality and
quantity of knowledge possessed (Engineersaustralia.org.au, 2018).
 Sustainability promotion is essential professional ethics that states responsible for
engagement with the community as well as other stakeholders. It describes maintaining
the balance between the present with the generation needs of the future. It further
emphasises on practising engineering for enhancing the wellbeing, safety, and health of
the community. It also promotes the integration of environmental considerations within
the tasks and works of engineering.
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Professional Values
 Professionalism demands highly for understanding the concept of time value. It considers
as a primary initiative in developing time management skills which help in understanding
the significance of time. Value of time helps in identifying the low return tasks or high
return jobs (Bainbridge et al., 2013).
 Empathy is a professional value that states understanding the emotions, experiences, and
thoughts of other people. It enables an individual to understand the circumstances, ideas,
opinions, feelings, and point of views of other people.
 Cooperation implies reflecting assistance and help to other people and commitment refers
to the act of accepting the duties and responsibilities. Commitment and cooperation are
mainly helpful for working in a team and attaining the team goals.
 Respect for others is vital for impacting positively when an individual work in an
organisation. Self-respect provides the basis to respect for other people. An individual
can show respect for others by being courteous and polite. Well-mannered and polite, fair
treatment, and respecting other individuals, their views, and thoughts reflect the ability to
respect (Owen, 2014).
 The professional value of self-confidence sticks with being self-assuredness in self-
ability, personal judgement, or power. Self-esteem enhances the confidence of an
individual where self-esteem is dependent upon the social networking of the individual.
 Civic virtue considers as the standard for directing an individual’s behaviour. It guides an
individual regarding ethical conduct while involving in society. There are many ways by
which an individual can look beyond the organisation, making efforts for the community
by assisting other people, participating in the activities that organise for community
benefit, and volunteering time (Saunders, 2013).
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Section-5: Competency Assessment
Competency assessment refers to the measurement system for the documentation of the
personnel competency. The competency assessment emphasises how well the employee is
applying the required job skills for performing. The measurement of application of competencies
undertakes against the specific standards for the performance. The main aim of conducting
competency assessment is the identification of the competency gaps and making corrections at
an early stage (Succar et al., 2013). The competency assessment includes the description of
competencies and their deficiency statement for identifying the issues in employee performance.
Description of competencies Stages of competencies
Aware Informed Involved Competent Transformative
Managerial & Leadership Competencies
Planning
Leadership
Respect
Communication
Teamwork
Self-Management
Socio-Cultural & Personal Competencies
Innovation
Technical skills
Cultural empathy
Commitment
Learning
Motivation
(Figure: Graphic representation of competencies gap)
(Source: By Author, 2019)
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Description of Competencies Competency-deficiency statement
Managerial & Leadership Competencies
Planning I am very well aware of the planning skills and know how to
coordinate with other people for the plan. I also understand the
efficient level of resources required for the activities. But, I
have not the ability to prioritise which work is to do first and
which to be last.
Leadership I know how to motivate subordinates and influence followers
with a positive attitude. I can develop trust among the
followers. However, I do not understand the techniques and
tools for delegating the responsibilities according to the skills
and qualifications of the subordinates (Chesnut, and Tran-
Johnson, 2013).
Respect I am competent in providing respect to others and gaining
respect from others. I know how to respect the opinions and
thoughts of other people and speak with politeness and
courtesy.
Communication Communication skills enhance my professional personality. I
know that I possess excellent communication skills. I
understand the value of effective communication by gaining
feedback from other people.
Team Work I have worked in teams, and most of the times, my performance
was successful. I know how to work in a group with
collaborative efforts. My communication skills help in conflict
management. I can recognise the value of problem-solving
when working in a team. But, I do not understand the
techniques for planning and leadership (Park et al., 2015).
Self-Management I know that one can manage others when he is self-managed. I
always take initiatives from myself to work and believe in
having an organised life. However, I do not understand how to
avoid and deal with the accountability game in case of any
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