Strengthening industry connections through Learning and Development Forums

At the beginning of November, the ATS successfully concluded its series of four Learning and Development (L&D) forums as part of the cutting-edge Mentor Alliance program, which aims to connect engineers and professionals within the tunnelling industry for mentorship opportunities.

Launched in 2023, the Mentor Alliance is a pivotal initiative led by the ATS Diversity in Tunnelling (DiT) and Young Members (ATSym) groups, with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and learning design consultancy provided through a partnership with Impact Business School. It’s specifically designed to foster professional growth and collaboration among members.

In 2023, its inaugural year, the program attracted 53 participants, and the 2024 cohort saw an impressive increase, with 69 individuals engaging in mentorships. This growth underscores the program’s importance in the tunnelling sector, providing a platform for mentorship that extends beyond technical development to encompass a broader range of topics crucial for professional success.

Patricia Kaziro, Director of Global Learning Solutions at Impact Business School and Forum Host, emphasises the significance of co-designing the L&D forums to support members of the tunnelling community. “The L&D forums have been developed in response to the real concerns and interests of the cohort,” she says.

“By discussing issues such as how to best support emerging leaders to reach their full potential and raising cultural awareness within teams, we open up conversations that create new ways of thinking and opportunities for both individuals and positive change collectively within the tunnelling industry.”

During the forums, which ran throughout 2024, participants explored pressing issues in the workplace, including work-life balance, leadership development, and effective communication strategies. The engaging discussions have allowed attendees to learn from industry experts, including Dr Irina Lazar from University College London, and their peers, empowering them to navigate their careers with confidence.

Sabrina Kost, a mentor from the 2023 cohort, highlights the program’s impact on young engineers: “My main goal was to encourage and provide constructive feedback, as mentors can help younger engineers build confidence in their abilities, empowering them to take on challenging projects and assume leadership roles in the future.” Such mentorship fosters a culture of support and shared learning, crucial for nurturing the next generation of tunnelling professionals.

The program’s approach to mentorship has resonated with participants, as illustrated by Katerina Monemvasioti Kappos, who reflects on her experience: “Participating in the mentoring program was an enriching experience. It provided a safe and supportive space where I could openly discuss my thoughts and concerns about work and our industry.” This sense of community and openness is essential in an industry often characterised by its technical focus, as it encourages dialogue about broader challenges and aspirations.

The ATS Mentor Alliance has ambitious plans for 2025, aiming to build upon the success of the 2023 and 2024 cohorts. A key program innovation in 2024 was the build of a web app to automate the matching process. Next year the focus will be on expanding outreach and collaboration with external committees that share the common values of promoting diversity and inclusiveness. Additionally, the program intends to connect with universities to promote the tunnelling industry as a viable career choice, particularly for young professionals entering the field.

Agnes Varo, a key member of the DiT group and Lead Engineer in Tunnelling at Aurecon, remarks on the importance of mentorship in fostering diversity within the profession: “Most companies have internal mentoring programs, which typically concentrate on technical development. While we still support continuous learning in a technical sense, we also emphasise that our program is providing a safe platform for a full spectrum of subjects, which are sometimes difficult to discuss within your own company,” she says.

“We are aiming to create connections where people feel free to bring up difficult topics, either with their mentoring partner or in the Learning and Development Forums.”

When a new cohort starts, the application process is concentrating on highlighting the mentees’ needs and the mentors’ capabilities and finding the best match for them including a wide range of topics. This commitment to creating a more equitable profession aligns with the ATS’s goals of attracting and retaining diverse talent.
As the ATS looks ahead to the next cohort in 2025, it invites individuals interested in mentorship—whether as a mentor or mentee—to participate in this transformative program. The ATS Mentor Alliance is dedicated to fostering a positive and self-sustaining community of tunnellers, cultivating opportunities for networking and professional growth.

“Join us in shaping the future of the tunnelling industry through mentorship and collaboration,” continues Agnes.
“Your involvement could make a significant difference in the careers of emerging professionals and the industry’s landscape.”

For those interested in joining the 2025 cohort or for more information, please contact the ATS Mentor Alliance Team (Agnes Varo, Amanda Huang and Shenyan Yao) at diversityintunnelling@gmail.com 

To learn more about the program and its objectives, visit https://www.ats.org.au/resources/mentor-alliance.