Innovative approach to staff development recognised

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18 September 2009

GHD’s Innovation program has been awarded the 2009 Engineering Excellence Award for Workplace Innovation by Engineers Australia (Victoria) for its landmark contribution to the personal development of its people.

The program encourages GHD’s 6000 people to take an innovative approach in their day-to-day work by giving them an online platform to submit, collaborate and vote on ideas – with the chance to have them heard and acted on.

GHD Innovation Manager Jeremy Stone said research showed people liked their job better if they felt they were making a real contribution not only to the success of the organisation but to the wider communities they live in.

“As an initiative where everyone can get involved and be treated as an equal, the Innovation program offers just that,” he said.

The program has given GHD’s people the opportunity to learn creative problem solving skills, enhance their technical skills and develop their commercialisation skills and awareness of market trends and drivers.

In addition, it has enabled them to develop networks and share knowledge across geographic and industry boundaries, and leverage the skills of GHD’s global network.

More than 30 ideas have been progressed to funding stage since the program was launched in early 2008, with four provisional patents secured for innovations in oil refining, marine and mining.

Mr Stone said: “We are reinforcing the message that engineers are creative, collaborative and open to new ideas and where appropriate, apply innovation in their solutions.”

For further information, contact:

Sonia Adams

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