Let’s put on our runners and prepare properly for the infrastructure challenges ahead

In my spare time, I’m an age-group triathlete. What I lack in talent I make up for in commitment and tenacity.

In 2019, I set myself the goal of qualifying for the Half Ironman world championships. Like any ambitious pursuit, you need to get many things right to achieve what you set out to accomplish. In this case, I needed a good training plan and at least six months of solid training, rest and good nutrition. I also needed a patient wife!

Without these factors in combination, I was sure that qualification would be unlikely but I was surprised by the relative importance of each element; some of the most important weren’t necessarily the ones I had expected to focus on. In particular, I found that getting enough rest –?allowing enough time for sleep and recovery –?was absolutely vital.

I did finally qualify and raced in the world championships in Nice.

In the May Federal budget, the Australian Government announced a $17 billion investment in infrastructure and road projects. It’s a significant investment into new roads, leisure facilities and bridges. Classic Keynesian theory tells us that the injection of government funding eventually leads to greater business activity, promotes individual and corporate spending and thus stimulates economic growth.

That’s all fine, but the rhetoric up until now hasn’t addressed the necessary skills, capabilities and management of these new assets over the long term. Perhaps people and capability are vitally important factors that have been overlooked?

In 2017, the?LGNSW?revealed asset managers were sixth on the list of top 10 professional skill shortage occupations in its Workforce and Future Skills Report and the universal skills shortage caused by this pandemic has exacerbated this shortage significantly.

Having a plan to manage assets over the long term is critical. In the?2018 National State of the Assets report, Australian local councils estimated $24 billion worth of existing infrastructure had poor capacity, resulting in inevitable sub-optimal performance. It’s clear that existing roads, bridges and parks are already in need of serious investment and how are we also going to manage these new assets into the future?

I believe the rhetoric needs to change with people at the forefront of infrastructure development. Investment in their skills, education and training is key to the whole enterprise and must qualify for a significant proportion of infrastructure investment. Such funding ?should be ringfenced in the $17 billion investment budget in order to provide a better outcome for infrastructure assets now and in the future. This will accrue widespread benefits - to local communities, our workforce and the country’s overall economic health.

At IPWEA, we want to be part of the solution. We have developed an education pathway for asset managers that can lead to an internationally recognised accreditation with no barriers to entry specifically tertiary qualifications. Let’s put on our runners and prepare properly for the infrastructure challenges ahead.

Find out more at www.ipwea.org

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