Developing the next generation of infrastructure engineers

Infrastructure engineering is a complex multidisciplinary practice that underpins human health – the physical, mental and social, as well as economic well-being, of people. Infrastructure is unique because its defined value is related to the services and capabilities that it enables, not by any intrinsic value nor in the financial investments that make it possible. The complexities in infrastructure planning, as in other contexts, encourage simplification and standardisation of different types/systems during planning and design. Yet the authors argue that many of the assumptions that have led to the present are now less valid, and many of the challenges – whether pandemics, technological change or the evolving natural context – now create significant economic and societal risks. These influences tend to create a significant and growing demand for the most broadly informed infrastructure engineers, who not only can work in component system specialisations but can also thrive even within a larger system with all its complexities and interdependencies. The competent practice of infrastructure engineering is delivering the technical excellence of sector-specific infrastructure systems that are developed in sympathy with its dynamic operating context. The necessary professional competencies are not currently supported as they should be by a comprehensive and more complete educational foundation.