Aaron Lewicki, P. Eng.’s Post

I’ve been closely monitoring the evolving landscape of engineering roles, particularly in design-based positions for water/wastewater treatment and water resources. 🔍 Key Trends I'm Seeing: Aging Infrastructure: There’s a significant push towards upgrading and building new infrastructure to replace aging systems. This is creating a high demand for skilled engineers who can design and implement these critical projects. Stormwater Management: With increasing environmental concerns and regulatory requirements, the need for innovative stormwater solutions is on the rise. Engineering firms are seeking experts who can develop sustainable and efficient systems to manage stormwater effectively. Budget Constraints: Many projects are facing tighter budgets, requiring firms to find cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality and safety. At Spencer Ogden, our team is dedicated to supporting engineering firms in navigating these trends by connecting them with top-tier talent. Whether you’re looking to expand your team with experienced professionals or fresh talent, we have the expertise and network to help you find the perfect fit. Let’s connect and discuss how we can support your hiring needs in this dynamic market! 💼🔧 #CivilEngineering #Infrastructure #Recruitment #EngineeringJobs #WaterResources #StormwaterManagement #WaterTreatment

As we close out #NationalEngineersWeek, our final spotlight is on #OHLAUSA's engineer Jake Woxland, who serves as Assistant Project Manager at our I-5 North Capacity Enhancements project in Santa Clarita, CA. Jake shares with us the importance of collaboration and communication with subcontractors, utilities, and public agencies, which is essential to successful project execution. "Recently at our I-5 project, we came across the challenge of widening a bridge with many obstacles in the way including existing street lighting, concrete channels, and oil lines. This has all been made even more difficult due to the limited space and the bridge's height (over 65’ above the street). To get by the restrictions imposed by all parties, we had to implement a collaborative effort across all fields. This includes multiple meetings and discussions with various parties including our owner LACMTA, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the oil line company, our falsework design team, the County of Los Angeles, and the local electrical utility company." Jake explains that by working together to create solutions to these conflicts, which led to making various design changes, the team was able to coordinate a viable plan. "The revisions allowed OHLA USA to complete the construction of the bridge, despite the limitations, which is a positive milestone for the project." #engineer #engineeringchallenges #engineeringforabetterworld #civilengineering #construction #heavycivil #peoplebuilders #weareOHLA #webuildexcellence

What I like about the #builtenvironment is that I get to choose what area I want to pursue. It’s funny because I was supposed to be in housing but ended up in #engineering again. At work, we were talking about infrastructure and other projects and how I am in school. My response was but I’m in school for #construction, not #engineering although I had a choice between construction and #civilengineering. Their response has been, “they pretty much the same thing, it doesn’t matter.” Well then that is it, I am no longer planning my path. I guess I will let life direct me. 🤷🏽♀️ #infrastructureprojects #infrastructure #infrastructuredevelopment #oilindustry #engineeringcareers #constructioncareers #constructionrecruitment

As Civil Engineers, our focus extends beyond construction - we aim to create a built environment that works in unity with our natural environment and promotes a sustainable society.  This World Environment Day, we welcome the conversation around restoration and resilience, and every day we aim to contribute directly to this theme by designing more sustainable solutions for infrastructure, buildings, and energy systems. Sustainable development is so important, and as engineers, we have a critical role in ensuring its success. #worldenvironmentday #civilengineering #projectmanagement #landdevelopment

This article by Simon Harris and New Civil Engineer highlights a critical and growing concern within the UK's civil engineering sector—the intensifying skills shortage, particularly in light of several large-scale construction projects like the Lower Thames Crossing and the Great Grid Upgrade. What's starkly evident from the discussion is that this talent shortage isn't confined just to large projects but reflects a broader systemic issue affecting the entire industry. A major, and perhaps frightfully obvious point that emerges is the lack of interest among government and recent school leavers in pursuing careers within the construction sector. The sector's image and appeal have diminished, making it less attractive to young talent who might otherwise replenish the aging workforce. This disinterest is compounded by educational institutions and governmental bodies not adequately promoting construction as a viable and rewarding career path, despite the high demand for skilled labour. Moreover, the impending recovery of the construction sector post-General Election and the predicted investment in environmental capex by the water sector highlight the urgent need for a strategic overhaul in how the industry recruits and retains talent. The traditional reliance on experienced workers is no longer sufficient; there's a pressing need for embracing diverse talent pools and enhancing focus on apprenticeships, training, and upskilling initiatives to address the gaps in new skills areas such as green technologies and AI. The looming perfect storm in 2026, with the commencement of projects like the Lower Thames Crossing, underscores the critical need for the construction industry to adapt swiftly and decisively to attract and develop the necessary workforce to avoid severe disruptions and capitalise on future growth opportunities. Again,like I said before more needs to be done before the s#@t hits the fan! #skillsshortaged #ukconstruction

Skills Shortage - Construction "lack of interest among government and recent school leavers in pursuing careers within the construction sector" Worrying Times! What are our industry and governments (both UK, where I learned my trade on the job, and Hong Kong, where I have continued to learn and I know has the same problem) doing about it? Let's scrap university degrees and get young people to leave school at 16 (like many of my colleagues as trainee quantity surveyors did) or 18 (like I did and had to catch up!) and pay them a reasonable salary to learn like we did. Not only would this help to relieve the burden on society that universities have become, but it would also help young professionals to acquire the skills to contribute to our industry at a much younger age and therefore earn much higher salaries than they're currently worth these days.

The infrastructure industry offers a diverse range of roles, and an engineering degree doesn't confine you to just design or construction. It opens doors to various ways of contributing to the field. My engineering background, coupled with strong communication skills, allows me to bridge the gap between technical experts and wider stakeholders, bringing more people into the infrastructure engineering space. The key is ensuring everyone involved in planning and delivering infrastructure projects understands the project’s purpose, outcomes, functionality, and ultimately who the project is for. I love how the industry contributes to community and economic growth, bringing together individuals from different backgrounds – engineers, community members, architects, politicians, planners – to collaborate and deliver tangible outcomes that positively impact people's lives. #building #infrastructure #TMYadvisory

The Role of Civil Engineers in Infrastructure Civil engineers are crucial in creating and maintaining the infrastructure that supports modern society. From bridges and roads to water systems and skyscrapers, their work ensures safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Here’s a look at their key responsibilities: Planning and Design 🏗️ Creating detailed plans and designs for infrastructure projects, focusing on sustainability and safety. Construction Management 🏢 Overseeing construction to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget. Structural Integrity 🔧 Ensuring buildings, bridges, and other structures are strong and stable. Environmental Protection 🌳 Designing systems that minimize environmental impact, such as waste management and pollution control. Water Resource Management 💧 Developing systems for water supply and wastewater treatment to ensure clean water access. Transportation Systems 🚦 Designing and maintaining roads, highways, and public transit systems for safety and efficiency. Disaster Resilience 🌪️ Enhancing infrastructure to withstand natural disasters like earthquakes and floods. Urban Development 🌆 Planning urban infrastructure, including utilities and public spaces, to improve city living. At Designo Inferno, our team of expert Australian consultants is dedicated to creating resilient, sustainable, and efficient infrastructure solutions. We use the latest technology and innovative practices to shape the future of our built environment. Follow us for more insights and updates on civil engineering and infrastructure! #civilengineering #infrastructure #sustainability #innovation #designoinferno #urbanplanning #watermanagement #transportationsystems #disasterresilience

Groundbreaking Achievements 🏗️💪 At the heart of any successful construction and civil engineering project lies a crew of highly skilled professionals. That's where HeatherDaniel International comes into sharp focus. Our forte - sourcing the finest experienced groundwork gangs, seasoned plant operatives, and adept temporary labour, tailored for the ambitious scale of large UK projects. 🎯 Precision in Placement—Our handpicked teams are not just workers; they're the gears turning the grand wheels of construction. With HeatherDanieI's spotlight on experience and expertise, we're building not just structures but futures, contributing to the nation's infrastructure and economy. 🚀 Growth Unearthed—Every project is a testament to growth, not just in physical frameworks but in job opportunities too. We're not just filling positions; we're fuelling potential and propelling the industry to new heights. #UKConstruction #CivilEngineering #HeatherDanielInternational

Revolutionizing Civil Construction! Our expert team specializes in heavy-duty projects while delivering unparalleled results. Experience excellence with every project. 🌟 Site Development: From start to finish, we build success. 💡 Utilities: Powering progress with seamless access to essential services. ⬆️ Lift Stations: Elevating standards in waste management infrastructure. #HeavyCivilConstruction #InnovationInInfrastructure