Education, Training and Outreach
To ensure that educational, training and public outreach programs meet the needs of decision makers, the workforce and the industry.
In the next decade, CIS education, training and outreach initiatives will be widespread across Canada. These initiatives, focusing on construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure, will be directed to all levels of the CIS community to ensure that consultants, operators, managers and students have the academic and practical knowledge to fulfill their obligations. The improved dissemination of knowledge, along with advocacy and outreach programs directed to the public, will lead to a better understanding of CIS, the acceptance of new, innovative and affordable technologies, as well as to the adoption of improved CIS management practices by users and decision makers.
Education, Training and Outreach | |
Major Challenges | Technology Needs |
Qualified personnel for training and teaching • A decline in civil engineering student enrolment in the last 10 years, combined with the retirement of experts, has caused a shortage of infrastructure experts dedicated to the advancement of CIS science. • The initial costs for the start-up of new education and training programs in CIS are very high; there are no dedicated sources of funds for these activities. • Benefits that have been realized due to proper education and training practices can be difficult to quantity. • Short-term and long-term educational goals for CIS have not been established. • Efforts in education, research, and training among academics, researchers and owners are disconnected and lack coordination and focus. • Educational opportunities need to be identified when they arise and where they are most needed. | • New IT tools for better use of existing educational resources • Common, standardized, expanded curricula, along with improved teaching methods and materials • Certification standards • Validation and testing procedures for the evaluation of new materials • Case studies and pilot projects • Outreach programs to educate decision makers and the public of the value of innovation in infrastructure |
