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Initial Professional Development for Civil Engineers, Second edition

Author(s): Patrick Waterhouse with H. Macdonald Steels

£34.50
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Publication date: 01 May 2018
Digital version: Buy this eBook
Initial Professional Development for Civil Engineers provides a core foundation of information on skills, knowledge and understanding, on which the development of every professional civil engineer, and their preparation for professional reviews, is based. The chapters provide guidance for any candidate and their mentors to make sense of the IPD pro

Initial Professional Development for Civil Engineers provides a core foundation of information on skills, knowledge and understanding, on which the development of every professional civil engineer, and their preparation for professional reviews, is based. The chapters provide guidance for any candidate and their mentors to make sense of the IPD process, providing a valuable insight into how to review their experience and the learning that they must take from it.

This second edition has been fully updated to reflect changes that have come into effect since the first edition, both in the ICE’s procedures as well as in the profession generally, and

  • offers  a core understanding of what it means to become a professional engineer
  • defines the breadth of knowledge and understanding required
  • focuses on the difficult transition from an academic education to the more complex learning-through-experience of the workplace
  • offers invaluable guidance and advice on further individual research for the reader’s own professional development
  • advises on key topics for the mentor, as well as the candidate.

This book will be invaluable reading for graduates starting out on their initial professional development, and continuing towards the professional reviews. The book also provides essential reference to the mentors charged with assisting and encouraging graduates to become qualified professional engineers.

Initial Professional Development for Civil Engineers is also part of the Revised bundle - ICE Professional Development Set.

Want to learn what it takes to become a qualified engineer? Read Patrick Waterhouse's blog: How do you become a professionally qualified engineer.

Book Reviews

This book is essential reading for graduates, especially those who are following the career appraisal route. But it is alsoessential reading for the mentor or supervising civil engineer who will be able to train graduates effectively towards their professional review quickly and efficiently.

Peter Hallsworth FCInstCES ICE Reviewer and Chair, ICES Professional Standards Committee 

This book provides essential guidance on the skills, knowledge and understanding required by civil engineers seeking to develop their careers, especially in the context of their initial professional development (IPD) in preparation for professional reviews at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). The book starts by considering aspects of the profession of a civil engineer and what skills are needed by the engineer to fulfil them, before discussing aspects of learning and development, and ICE requirements. The attributes required to be demonstrated in IPD are then covered in separate chapters.

As a chartered civil engineer with over 20 years of experience as an ICE reviewer, the author writes with authority on transitioning from academic learning to learning in the workplace. Overall this is a valuable guide and source of information for both trainee engineers and their mentors, and also for those with a wider interest in the development of civil engineers through work-based learning.


Andrew Martin, Cowi, Denmark

Initial Professional Development (IPD) is the process in which a trainee gradually gains the attributes of and therefore becomes a professional civil engineer. As such it is mandatory for any aspiring IEng or CEng candidate, as at review it is the attributes that will be examined in detail. The reader is skilfully guided through these 9 attributes with an excellent commentary and thought provoking stimulus on the specific ICE requirements. Attention is rightly brought to the two attributes that many trainees struggle with ie knowledge/understanding and technical/practical application of engineering.

The author’s message on the value of gaining rounded experiences in both the design and site environments are wise words indeed. Among the many gems is the need to consider the simple question “Would this person, when placed in a position of responsibility, make the correct decision”.

As in Patrick Waterhouses’s companion books on this subject, the layout is presented in a logical and straightforward sequence. Common sense and practical guidance oozes from its pages. This book is not only an absolute must read for trainees but for Supervising Civil Engineers, Delegated Engineers, Sponsors and Reviewers as well. I am confident it shall become the staple diet for all those involved in the ICE’s training process for many years.


Chris Bennion CEng FICE FCIHT MIED 

Initial Professional Development for Civil Engineers, 2nd edition, by Patrick Waterhouse, skilfully leads the reader on a journey, explaining why ICE requires all members to demonstrate their knowledge, experience, skills, and understanding against the attributes, and, importantly, how to gain that much sought-after experience. This guide explains why seemingly ‘impossible’, unattainable goals are requested by ICE, the meaning attached to individual words, the holistic meaning of the descriptors, and the overall philosophy underpinning the attributes.

Andrew Leisk, FRICS, FCInstCES, FCIOB, International lecturer, Lincoln College

Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780727760982
Number of pages: 136
Product code: 9780727760982
Page size: 216x138mm
Publication status: Published
Publisher: ICE Publishing

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