42 | ENGINEERING GWE Consulting Engineers Karen Phelps Better spaces with creative thinking GWE delivers projects across a range of sectors including roading and land development. “At GWE young and mid-career engineers and designers work alongside industry experts and all of us learn from each other.” The continual growth of GWE Consulting Engineers has opened up numerous opportunities for the right people to build satisfying and rewarding careers in the water industry, says company director Gareth Williams. “At GWE we think that if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing to the best of your ability, which is why we are building a team of creative engineers and designers, people who thrive on finding a solution that makes a project extra special. We believe creative thinking leads to better environments, and we are actively seeking people who share our work-place philosophy,” he says. Since Gareth started GWE around 12 years ago he’s formed a strong team to advise clients, which include councils, land developers and commercial clients, on how best to develop their properties, facilities and assets. Gareth says the aim is to always add creativity, functionality, resilience and value to the way GWE clients live and work and to the well-being of those who depend on them and to the communities they serve. It’s a highly collaborative approach and the multi-disciplinary GWE team of geotechnical, environmental, civil, mechanical and process engineers is locally and internationally experienced in a wide range of projects. The result is all the necessary skills and experience to obtain consent, design and deliver projects across a range of work sectors including land development, commercial, industrial, Three Waters, institutional, bicultural and environment. “At GWE young and mid-career engineers and designers work alongside industry experts and all of us learn from each other. Collaboration goes beyond the office; we engage with innovative planners, architects and urban designers to find sustainable solutions to the environmental challenges of the 21st century,” says Gareth. GWE operates offices in Auckland, Hamilton and Waiheke Island, serving customers throughout New Zealand. Gareth says it is the GWE team that set the company apart and he’s worked hard to establish an incredibly positive work culture that allows people to thrive. This includes flexible working arrangements, providing breakfast, a laptop and healthcare. Staff retention is key and, for example, a maternity plan sees staff paid 75% of their salary for 12 months with their role kept open until they are ready to return to work. GWE staff get the opportunity to work on a wide range of interesting projects. To give a snapshop at present GWE is working on a large 140-lot residential subdivision at Cape Foulwind, Westport, completing engineering for Fisher & Paykel’s new head office in Auckland and commissioning two large water treatment plants in Hastings. It has just completed water and waste water design for a 3500 lot subdivision in Beachlands, Auckland and engineering for the new Avondale library in Auckland. In addition GWE provides career development opportunities for people to learn, build and apply their talents at the highest level. “We provide a robust pathway for professional growth,” says Gareth who also chairs the onsite wastewater management group for industry body Water New Zealand. “This includes a structured onboarding process, a work buddy system, on the job training, a variety of mentoring possibilities, opportunities to participate in professional body training programmes that count towards CPD hours and payment of professional memberships. GWE also provides opportunities for emerging leaders to participate in business development and management programmes.” Currently employing around 50 staff Gareth expects this number will be more like 80 in 2023. He says that GWE is actively looking for more great staff, including water and wastewater engineers, geotechnical and land development engineers at all levels across the Three Waters and land development business lines. GWE is committed to finding sustainable solutions to environmental challenges like rising sea levels. Stormwater solutions: A multi plate arch culvert.
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