A training team, consisting of BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) subject matter experts (SMEs) and a certified adult educator, worked closely to design, develop and deliver two days of in-class training to support MoTI staff and maintenance contractors to implement new 10-year provincial highway maintenance contracts. These contracts represent more than $400 million annually in highway maintenance work over 28 service areas across BC. Day 1 of the training was provided to MoTI staff and Day 2 was provided to both MoTI staff and successful contractors. The training was designed to ensure staff who administer the contract, and the maintenance contractors who implement it, have mutual understanding around contract specifications and the skills/tools to work effectively together. The team delivered the course in 26 of the MoTI’s services areas between October 2018 and October 2019.
The team carefully measured impacts of the training through a capability questionnaire that asked participants to rate:
Their level of knowledge/skill before and after completing the course in competency areas such as:
Administering/implementing contract specifications
Applying key concepts for working well together
Following records and reporting requirements
The extent to which the course met their personal knowledge & skill gaps
Their confidence in applying the learning on the job
The quality of instruction
The overall credibility, practicality and usefulness of course content
The program demonstrated considerable innovation in approach and execution. To the team’s knowledge, no other training of its kind has been offered in Canada. The innovative approach of owner and contractor learning side-by-side ensures both are equipped from the outset to work collaboratively to provide safe, well-maintained highways across BC for the next 10 years. A significant immediate payoff was the new/strengthened relationships and tools for collaboration that learners took from the course. Most respondents (74%) rated their confidence to collaborate before the course as very low, low or moderate. Following the course, 71% rated their confidence to collaborate as high or very high. The 630 evaluations received consistently show that course attendees felt they had improved their knowledge and skills in all competency areas.
