Oct 1

The Importance of Knowledge Transfer in Structural Engineering Courses

A while back, I worked on a research project that was supposed to continue someone else's previous research. Exciting, right? Well, not so much when I realised that all the key data was locked away with someone no longer in the team. So, there I was, eager to push the research forward, but instead, I had to spend months just redoing what had already been done.

It felt like reinventing the wheel. If we’d just had a meeting where everything was laid out, I could’ve spent that time advancing the research instead of spinning my wheels.

This situation reminds me of what I often see happening in the structural engineering field today, especially in residential construction. Did you know residential timber construction has been around for over 100 years? For generations, structural engineers have been designing these structures, and yet, we're still spending years learning things that have already been mastered and tested long ago.

Whenever I work on older timber buildings and pull out the original structural drawings, I'm struck by how little the fundamentals of timber design have changed. The fundamentals have been rock solid for decades, but structural engineers had to learn the timber design approach from scratch over the years. And I couldn't help but wonder—why are we spending years re-learning what's already been mastered for decades? It's something I've seen time and time again, especially when I've had to train the less experienced engineers joining our engineering company who are starting from square one.

A Solution Through Project-Based Learning

What I explained above is exactly the reason why I decided to take matters into my own hands. I developed project-based structural engineering courses that follow a well-structured knowledge transfer system. These courses use real-life projects to teach trainees how to design and draft timber residential dwellings from start to finish, step by step. It’s a hands-on approach to structural engineering that bridges the gap between theory and practice.

Moving Beyond Theoretical Knowledge

Let me ask you, how many times have you attended seminars, webinars, or workshops, only to leave with a ton of information but no idea how to actually use it in real-life projects? Well, our structural engineering courses are nothing like that. I’ve packed all my knowledge of the residential construction field into these programs so you won’t waste years on redundant learning or struggle through trial and error. Instead, you’ll be ready to confidently design and draft residential projects on your own.

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Conclusion: 

In structural engineering, the importance of effective knowledge transfer cannot be overstated. As professionals, we must avoid spending unnecessary time re-learning concepts that have already been established for decades. By focusing on practical, project-based learning, structural engineers can move beyond theoretical knowledge and gain the skills they need to confidently approach real-life projects. Structured courses that incorporate real-life projects are the key to ensuring that valuable industry knowledge is passed on efficiently, saving time and effort. With the right training, structural engineers can advance their careers faster and contribute meaningfully to the field.

Moly Ashtari
Senior Structural Engineer
CPEng, NER, PE (RBP), RPEQ, MIEAust,
M.ENG. (STRUCTURAL), B.ENG. (CIVIL)

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