Spotlight: Our People

Meet Riaan Wepener

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EIC Activities

EIC Activities’ Principal – Operational & Knowledge Management, Riaan Wepener is dedicated to adding value through sharing knowledge. By leading knowledge management and technical training, Riaan and his team strengthen the Group’s engineering and technical capabilities.

Born in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and raised in a town called Krugersdorp, Riaan was inspired to study engineering after he met an agricultural engineer working near his family’s farm in the Western Cape.

Riaan has a diverse range of global engineering experience ranging from commencing his career in the agricultural engineering department in South Africa to working in the civil engineering sector on large construction projects in the United Kingdom.

Riaan joined the Group in 2012 as a Senior Project Engineer with Thiess. Riaan then held an Area Manager position at CPB Contractors before transitioning from a project to EIC Activities in 2017.

Riaan recently embraced the opportunity to operate as Acting General Manager in EIC Activities, which he considers a significant personal achievement in his career.

Riaan and the EIC Activities knowledge management team. Pictured (L to R): Tracey Carter, Systems Coordinator, David Andreallo, Engineer – Knowledge Management, Riaan Wepener, Principal – Operational & Knowledge Management, and Matthew Watson Project Manager – Knowledge Management.

Sharing knowledge

Riaan and his team champion and maintain CIMIC Group’s interactive Project Knowledge Library (iPKL) which was developed to manage and share intellectual property.

“The iPKL is a digital library of documentation purposefully built to support efficient bid preparation, successful project execution and timely commissioning and handover of projects,” said Riaan.

“Over the past year we have seen an overall increase in downloads, specifically method related or execution documents such as methods statements, scope of works and Inspection Test Plans (ITPs).

“Being able to see the benefit and value iPKL brings to the business and how the usage of the platform has increased has been a great accomplishment.”

Riaan says the one of the greatest successes from the team in 2019 was the facilitation of lessons learnt sessions on key projects and business initiatives across all Operating Companies.

“In 2020, our team will continue to facilitate lessons learnt sessions across all Group companies, with a particular focus on obtaining key knowledge from projects to share within our iPKL and Communities of Practice platforms,” said Riaan.

To learn more about sharing knowledge, view our Webinar Wednesday.

Riaan and EIC Activities technical training team. Pictured (L to R): Georgia Jones, Engineer – Applied Technical Training and Vanessa Brind, Applied Technical Training Administrator.

Building technical capability

The technical training team supports and builds capabilities through training and collaboration. Training is delivered in three key areas namely, Graduate Training, On-Demand Training and Webinar Wednesday.

“All training is developed and delivered by subject matter experts from specialist technical areas within the Group.

“The training resources available enhance development in areas outside of the normal career path, establish core technical competencies and promote technical engineering discussion,” said Riaan.

Looking toward the future, the team will continue to work towards the integration of training resources within the One Learning platform enabling more individuals to access and report against professional development actions.

Please note iPKL and training resources are only accessible inside your network.

More about Riaan

What is the best advice you have ever received?

“My very first manager was a great role model, and always bestowed more than just advice. He was a great benchmark for the engineer I aspired to be. He always told us: ‘when you are at work – you work; always be honest, be humble and appreciative of the opportunities you are given.’”

What is at the top of your bucket list?

“Not having to camp in tents anymore. A caravan is the way to go!"

How do you switch off from work?

“I love doing things around the house on my own, and very seldom ask someone to help me. It’s my time to switch off.”

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

“I am not the strictest parent in my household.”

What is one piece of advice you would give to engineers starting out?

“Start working towards achieving professional membership and accreditation with the local engineering body from day one. For me, securing these accreditations is about the ethics and principles associated with it. As engineers, its integral we ensure whatever we design or construct has been executed correctly and safely.”

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