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Sandra Karrasch BE (Electrical) Grad Dip Mgt (Technology Mgt) AMIRSE MIEAust

Signal Engineer QR

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the current engineering graduate programs operating in QR, the advantages and disadvantages of the programs, and discuss what qualities a graduate program should encompass.

QR has engineering graduate programs in Signal and Operational Systems, Civil Engineering, Rollingstock Engineering, Telecommunications, and Electrical Engineering.

The main advantages of the rotational graduate programs are that participants gain a variety of skills and experience, and acquire a contact base throughout the organisation and externally.

The main disadvantages are forced relocation of staff to other locations, loss of communication with other graduates and staff, and if the program is not managed well can fail in its operation and in graduate development.

To retain graduates a graduate program should consider mentoring, structured training, professional development, management  support and commitment, Key Performance Indicators, a communication platform and information sessions to assist in decision making for rotational areas and experience.