The GDP is a 2 year programme for all recently-graduated students that aim to develop the skills, knowledge and abilities to the level required to meet the current and future requirement of the organisation and for those with engineering background to eventually attain their Professional Engineer (PEng) license. While the attainment of a PEng license is not a mandatory part of the program, it will be emphasized if the career goals of the graduate include requirements as discipline engineer or where a PEng license will enhance attainment of career goals and competency levels. The programme is designed to run over a minimum period of two years and aims to develop graduates around a separate theme for each year they are on the programme.
- Year One – Managing Self
- Year Two – Managing Relationships within Teams
An Illustration of the GDP Framework
The programme is based on the development of competencies. The elements within the programme are based around developing the breadth and depth of graduate’s competencies, so that at the end of two years, the graduates have the necessary experience to enable them to practice in a competent, independent and ethical manner.
The Graduate Development Programme is coordinated by the L&D Team, who is responsible for the structure of the program, the Heads of Department (HOD) who are responsible for discipline-specific requirements, and the Graduate Development Committee (GDC) who facilitates the successful implementation of the programme.
The Graduate Development Programme (GDP) was formed in 2009 to harness the potential energy of graduates to give them the opportunity to have more control and influence over the direction of their development programme and also to have a greater local content development framework;
- We are here to assist the graduates in achieving their career goals through networking and training activities, support their path towards becoming a competent professional and through feedback and ideas, help implement a Graduate Programme that works for them.
- We provide a strong foundation for graduates to be influential in their own personal and professional development
- We provide peer support when facing the stresses and difficulties encountered when first entering the workforce
- GDC provides opportunities for 'cross-discipline' understanding
- We provide the framework to roll-out professional development programmes
- We provide representation, to voice concerns and work with the graduates to improve their development programme.
- We provide the opportunities for international exposure and experience as well