Engineers for Change, Sierra Leone (EfCSL) launches a Work Experience Exchange Programme in collaboration with WSP, a UK industry leader.

Engineers for Change, Sierra Leone (EfCSL), in partnership with the Sierra Leone Institution of Engineers (SLIE) is delivering a project titled ‘Accredited Standards and Pathways for Professional Engineers (ASPPEng)’ through the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Africa Catalyst Phase 4 programme. The project aims at aligning the training of engineers in Sierra Leone with international best practice.

Under the ASPPEng project, EfCSL, has joined forces with WSP, a leading UK professional services consulting firm and UNOPS Sierra Leone (United Nations Office for Project Services) to trial an innovative Work Experience Exchange Programme. The Work Experience Exchange Programme by EfCSL, aims to achieve several key outcomes, including exposing graduates to diverse work cultures and practices, enhancing their adaptability, expanding their knowledge base, and providing global networking opportunities.

The ASPPEng project is funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering and will facilitate engineering companies in Sierra Leone to actively develop a graduate training programme and implement a recognised professional development scheme for their employees, similar to that in the UK. Currently, the initial pilot programme comprises 20 graduate engineers from various disciplines, who are being mentored by both UK and Sierra Leone-based professional engineers. By the programme’s conclusion, all participants will be expected to attain the status of Professionally Qualified Engineers. This endeavour builds upon the success of previous Royal Academy of Engineering’s Africa Catalyst calls, including the Young Engineer’s Corp.

Esther the first exchange graduate arrived in the UK through EfCSL and the SLIE. and joined her colleagues at WSP for a month of intensive training, Esther had the opportunity to interact with Jade, a UK exchange undergraduate from WSP, who will in turn embark on a journey to Sierra Leone to collaborate with her UNOPS counterparts in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

In their contributory statement, Kirsty Chishti, Programme Officer, Africa at the Royal Academy of Engineering, noted:

‘It’s been a pleasure to have overseen the ASPPENG project and to have met Esther and Jade in person in London and witness their passion to engineer change from within. Many graduates in Sierra Leone will benefit from this training implementation and much-needed baseline for accreditation. The collaboration between SLIE, EfCSL, WSP and UNOPS has shown incredible potential to establish a scheme locally so that in the near future, many more graduates and young engineers across Sierra Leone can benefit.’

EfCSL remains committed to facilitating and fostering collaborations between UK and Sierra Leonean-based companies, thereby ensuring increased participation in the exchange programme. The organisation strives to empower graduates by enabling them to work in various locations and gain exposure to different work practices and cultures.

For media inquiries, please contact Rowland Gordon, Engineers for Change, Sierra Leone, by Email: rowlandgordon@engineersforchange-sl.org.

About Engineers for Change, Sierra Leone:

Engineers for Change, Sierra Leone (EfCSL) is a UK charity dedicated to promoting sustainable engineering and development projects in Sierra Leone. Through its collaborative efforts, EfCSL works towards enhancing engineering education, fostering professional development, and facilitating knowledge exchange between Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom.

About the Royal Academy of Engineering:

The Royal Academy of Engineering, through its Africa Catalyst programme works in partnership with professional engineering bodies to support strong institutions that can best promote the profession, share best practice and build up an engineering talent pipeline with the necessary skills to respond to local challenges.

London, 7^th June 2023 – Engineers for Change, Sierra Leone – www.engineersforchange-sl.org

Registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales. Registration number: 1152627