National Assessors at Engineers Australia use the National Competency Based Assessment System for evaluating the suitability of candidates applying to become Chartered Members.
Under this system, applicants provide evidence of their professional competencies and then attend a Professional Interview before an Assessment Panel normally comprising of one or two volunteer interviewers plus a National Assessor – a highly experienced professional engaged by Engineers Australia to take the lead on allocated Stage 2 Assessments.
Engineers Australia recently took a moment to speak with Jane Copperthwaite to hear her thoughts on what makes being a National Assessor, conducting Stage 2 assessments for professionals as they undertake their journey to become a Chartered professional.
We’re currently looking for a number of National Assessors to join our team in cities across Australia!
Who is Jane Copperthwaite?
Jane has been a part of the Engineers Australia team for over 4.5 years, serving as a National Assessor, conducting Stage 2 Assessments for Chartered status. With a background in Signalling Engineering for railways and more recently in engineering assurance and risk management, Jane’s time with Engineers Australia has seen her influence the career outcomes and futures of hundreds of Australian Engineers.
EA:Hi Jane, and thanks for your time. What initially drew you to become an Assessor?
Jane Copperthwaite (JC): Initially, my undertaking of this role was largely about flexibility. I’m also married to an engineer – although my husband’s career had taken a relative back seat up to that point of our lives. We decided it was time to shake things up; my husband took a FIFO role in Central Queensland, meaning that I required a flexible role with which to balance my family life. I had previously been involved in graduate development, and had also received amazing support during my time as a graduate, so I felt like this was a great opportunity to give something back to the profession following the achievement of my Chartered status.
EA: What do you feel is the most useful trait for an Assessor to have?
JC: In my opinion, a great Assessor will be able to demonstrate great flexibility with their assessment method and approach. Since an Assessor will deal with many different types of people, with varying thought processes and personalities, the ability to draw relevant information from all different types of people is pivotal. Feeding into this is the is the ability to build rapport and relationships with people, as well as the ability to communicate and understand as well as negotiate what’s required from the assessment process.
“It’s a very satisfying feeling to be part of the professional journey of so many outstanding engineering professionals.”
EA: What is a valuable lesson that you’ve learned through your role as an Assessor?
JC: As engineers working exclusively in our specialised disciplines, it’s very easy to get stuck in a “bubble”, where you adopt a rather rigid way of thinking, approaching problems, and developing systems. As an Assessor, I’ve worked along the full length and breadth of engineering disciplines, away from my traditional field of railway signalling systems. This has forced me to consider the approaches and systems of many other fields in my day-to-day work. Overall, I feel that all engineering disciplines share many common characteristics, but we still have things we can learn from each other, particularly in how our specific systems can provide a fresh, positive impact to others with different specialities.
EA: What have been some highlights during your time as an Assessor?
JC: Although this is a fairly broad answer, I feel that an overall (and recurring) highlight as an Assessor with Engineers Australia has simply been the quality of engineers that come through the assessment process, which speaks volumes about those in the workforce, as well as the future of engineering as a vocation. It’s a very satisfying feeling to be part of the professional journey of so many outstanding engineering professionals. For young engineers in particular, being able to provide guidance, and points of improvement through the assessment process is rewarding, and helps to shape a stronger future for engineering.
EA: What’s an aspect of an Assessor’s role that people might not anticipate?
JC: Most people don’t realise that I am required to assess such a broad spectrum of engineering disciplines away from my individual discipline. In terms of evaluating technical skill, I am supported by subject matter experts; my role is to apply the assessment process to identify and prove links between skill and competency for those under assessment.
“For me, the role as an Assessor offered me outstanding working flexibility, giving me the chance to contribute to the engineering profession in a unique way, without having to move out of the industry.”
EA: How would you describe the impact that Assessors have on engineering as a profession?
JC: Assessors play a huge part in the advancement of engineering, both domestically, and overseas. A Chartership with Engineers Australia provides highly-skilled engineering professionals with an internationally-recognised symbol of status, and assurance that the skill level and competency of a Chartered individual has been verified and confirmed. Australian engineers have the expertise and ability of world leaders across the breadth of engineering disciplines; we make decisions and provide advice that nobody else can. This means that as an Assessor, the ability to promote the cause of Australian engineers is very important.
EA: Why would you recommend becoming an Assessor to others?
JC: Being an Assessor offers a work situation which is quite different to anything else you’ll come across in a career as an engineer. For me, the role as an Assessor offered me outstanding working flexibility, giving me the chance to contribute to the engineering profession in a unique way, without having to move out of the industry. Becoming an Assessor with Engineers Australia has also allowed me to create a fantastic network of contacts from a huge range of engineering disciplines; the role has allowed me to gain new and exciting opportunities and pick up assignments along the way.