Engineering Management Institute

do your homework

TCEP 182: Five Tips for Improving In-House Training Programs for Civil Engineering Firms

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in-house trainingIn this episode,  I talk to Michael Dooley, P.E., LEED AP, the Principal at Bayer Becker about in-house training programs for civil engineers. Mike is involved with several professional organizations, including the Urban Land Institute (ULI), National Association for Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP), University of Cincinnati Real Estate Roundtable, and Tristate Society of Healthcare Engineers.  In this episode, he provides five great tips on how engineering leaders can improve their in-house training programs. 

Engineering Quotes:

in-house training

in-house training

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Mike:

  • Proper employee training is important. There’s some debate over if in-house training is the best approach. What is your opinion on this?
  • You have five tips that you would like to share with our listeners about how they can improve in-house training efforts. Tip number 1 is “Do your homework.” Talk to us about that one, please.
  • Tip number 2 is to find a balance between the technical and the human side. What does that mean, and how would one do that?
  • Tip number 3 is “diversification of thought and experience.” What do you mean by that?
  • Tip number 4 is “emphasis on storytelling.” What stories are you referring to here?
  • Tip number 5 is “rinse and repeat.” Explain this statement as related to training?
  • Any last pieces of advice on internal training programs?

Here Are The Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Improving In-House Training Programs for Civil Engineering Firms:

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You Don’t Have to “Win”

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This is a guest blog by Fernando A. Ceballos, P.E.

WinI once had a conversation with someone who bragged about how he was able to get a car dealership to basically give him a car. He talked about all the different tactics he used and how at the end of it, the salesmen essentially said, “We’ll sell you the car, but we ask that you don’t come back in the future.” In his eyes, he was able to buy a car below market value and walked off with a “win.” Although on the surface it looked like he came out on top, he failed to realize that he destroyed any potential for future purchases: The dealership won’t work with anyone he refers, and he probably ended up belittling someone who was trying to do their job.

Even though “sales” may have a negative connotation, remember that the deal is between two PEOPLE. I highly suggest that when you engage with someone, you seek first to understand their needs and not just focus on the outcome that you want.

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