How to Write Your Training Report for ZIE Submission: Tips for Graduate Engineers Working Outside an Official Graduate Trainee Program/Employer

As a young graduate engineer and if you are not part of an official Graduate Trainee Program run by mostly established firms such as Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) or the other large institutions such as Zimplats or FBC bank…

Compiling a comprehensive training report for submission to the Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers (ZIE) can be challenging,

Unlike your peers in structured programs offered by these organizations, you need to find alternative ways to document your professional development and experience and most often a lot of people struggle to come up with their Training Reports.

This is due to the lack of many, if any at all, sources or examples available on the internet to assist you. Furthermore there is a general disdain of sharing any materials, information or tips amongst the engineering fraternity sometimes and this can hinder you in drafting your own.

It is due to these challenges that, I decided to make this guide was to help you craft a detailed and impactful training report, capturing your experience and demonstrating your growth and expertise in the engineering field just as I did when I upgraded from Graduate Member to a Corporate Member in order to attain my Professional License of Practice.

Understanding the Training Report

The training report is not just a bureaucratic requirement; it’s a critical document that reflects your journey as an engineer.

It helps the ZIE assess your practical skills, problem-solving abilities, and continuous professional development. For engineers not in traditional trainee programs, a well-structured training report is essential to bridging the gap between graduation and professional competency, and highlights the unique experiences and skills gained in various roles and projects.

For your application to be a success, the report’s format and content should be compelling and convincing.

This guide will outline the format and content you need to ensure that your report is thorough, professional, and demonstrates your capabilities effectively. The structure should include:

• Executive Summary
• Professional Profile
• Employment History Overview
• Relevant Experience Overview
• Working Experience Details
• Select Projects Experience Details (Summarized)
• Training and Continous Development Details
• Appendix

We shall now dive in depth into each section and how you can craft it.

The Structure

Executive Summary

This section is meant to provide a concise and brief overview of your report, highlighting key sections and summarizing what the reviewers are to expect.

“Think of an executive summary as the movie trailer for your engineering report. A good trailer showcases the a few good highlights, and key elements of a movie to entice viewers but doesn’t reveal too much or go in depth. The point is to give them a snapshot of what to expect but not to spoil the whole movie in 4 minutes, Don’t Batman VS Superman your executive summary please! keep it short and simple”

My Executive Summary was as follows:

This document outlines my journey towards becoming a professional engineer, highlighting the requisite training necessary for transition from Graduate Engineer to Professional Engineer within the Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers for career progression. It is structured, starting with my profile, employment history and leading to the training and project details, and the continuous development I have engaged in to enhance my skills and become an Engineer who brings value.

Professional Profile

In the professional profile section, you offer a brief background of yourself, including your qualifications and employment journey. This section is similar to the introduction of a novel or a series, that sets the scene and expectations for the reader.

Highlight your key strengths, achievements, and any personal initiatives or pro bono work you are doing to give back to the engineering field. This section should paint a clear picture of who you are as a professional and what you bring to the table.

Imagine your professional profile as the foundation of a building. A strong, well-constructed foundation supports the entire structure, just as a robust professional profile supports the narrative of your report. This is where you lay down the essential details that will underpin the rest of your document.

And if we are going to my geeky analogies, You want your professional profile to be like The First Episode of Game of Thrones not like The First Episode of Breaking Bad, both TV shows were well crafted but Breaking Bad took a while before people warmed up to it. Unlike with TV shows this is a matter of your Professional License so get it right the first time, not everyone has the patience to get to episode 7 of your report.

Now A general guide or structure that i can advise to you for this section that you can follow is:

• What qualifications do you hold and from which institution and year?
• When did your employment start?
• Who is the employer and their field?
• What you started off learning?
• How you progressed and what you were capturing as you did?
• What skills and experience have you attained engineering wise?
• Other transitions if you had more than one employer
• What is your current Status at the moment?
• What Probono or Society Activities are you doing?

This should be enough to create a page or 3/4 of a page of content suitable to stand out as your profile.

I hold a BSc (Hons) in Civil Engineering, awarded by [REDACTED] on [REDACTED]. My employment journey in the field of Civil Engineering began in September of the same year, when I commenced my training in property development and residential services design at [REDACTED]. Over the years, I have garnered valuable experience and knowledge in structural, construction, and civil engineering. After [REDACTED] I transitioned into a role as junior engineer at a structural consultancy, where I was exposed to the intricacies of structural and civil engineering design. My career then transitioned into the construction industry, where I took on the role of a site engineer, primarily focusing on Quality Control and Assurance of engineering and structural works, starting in January [REDACTED] . In [REDACTED] , I embraced a new opportunity to further develop my skills by taking on the role of Quality Control Engineer at [REDACTED] for a 6-month contract which proved to be a pivotal step in my professional journey. Currently, I am practicing as a Civil Engineer in the British Overseas Territory of [REDACTED], where I’ve been since the end of July [REDACTED] . Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working under the guidance of seasoned professionals such as [REDACTED], [REDACTED], [REDACTED], and [REDACTED]. My core strengths, developed over five years of training and hands-on experience, encompass expertise in Computer-Aided Design, Construction Supervision, Workshop Management, and Quality Control. I also have an online platform dedicated to helping other fellow younger engineers and aspiring engineers with engineering knowledge and advice entitled the “Prokon Geek”.

Employment History Overview

This section is meant to provide a high-level overview of your employment history. In my own opinion It is best presented in a tabular format, showcasing the tenure, company, and supervisors/references for each position.

This overview acts as a road-map of your professional journey, giving the reader a clear and concise snapshot of your employment background. See my example below:

Tenure	Organization	Supervisor
2018 – 2020	Museyamwa Holdings Pvt Ltd, Harare, Zimbabwe	Eng. Jon Snow +263 700 000 000 000 jon.snow@engineeringnuggets.com
2021 – 2022	Kumavheti Building Society, Randburg, South Africa	Eng. Jon Wick +27 000 000 000 000 jon.wick@engineeringnuggets.com
2024 – Present	Makambani Mahombe, Glasgow, Wales United Kingdom	Eng. Jason Bourne +44 000 000 000 000 jason.bourne@engineeringnuggets.com

Relevant Skills & Experience Overview

This section is a snapshot of the relevant skills and experience you have developed in the field. It can be presented as a table, chart, or illustration.

My own report Included field experience I attained on site based works, software proficiency gained in my design and consultancy tenures, and administrative skills attained since I graduated in all my employment episodes. Think of this as the highlight reel of your career, showcasing the key competencies and tools you have mastered.

Think of this section as your character’s skill tree in any role-playing game like Baldur’s Gate or my personal favorites Sekiro and Ghost of Tsushima.

Just like in these RPG games, this section is similar to the skill tree as it is where you can see the different abilities and skills that the character possesses or has gained as you were conquering the game, this section highlights the key competencies and tools you have mastered in your engineering journey.

Your experiences and skills are your character’s abilities, ready to be leveraged for success in various quests and challenges.

Note: Do not add skills you have not been exposed to as you will be exposed in the interview.

Working Experience Details

If this was a movie, novel or theater play, this would be the 2nd Act, This is where you expand on the overview you gave in section 1.3

In this section you should detail your duties and responsibilities for each tenure, showcasing your roles and contributions. This section is your opportunity to elaborate on the positions you’ve held, explaining how your responsibilities have evolved and the impact you’ve had in each role. Describe the scope of your work, the teams you led or were part of, and any significant achievements.

You can do it in tabular form or use a listed and indented format such as the following: (I have changed the wording a bit but I was a Site Engineer from 2021 to 2022 and instead of sharing what I actually wrote see the edited version here below)

Organization: Kumavheti Building Society, 2021-2022 Role: Junior Site Engineer Responsibilities: On-Site Supervision: – Supervised on-site construction activities, ensuring adherence to project plans and safety standards. – Conducted daily site inspections to monitor progress and identify any issues or deviations from the plan. – Implemented corrective actions to address non-compliance with safety regulations and construction standards. Project Management: – Managed project schedules and budgets, coordinating with subcontractors and suppliers to ensure timely completion. – Developed detailed work plans and timelines, tracking progress and making adjustments as necessary to stay on schedule. – Prepared and maintained project documentation, including daily logs, progress reports, and budget reports. Quality Control: – Conducted quality control inspections and resolved on-site issues to maintain project integrity. – Performed tests and inspections on materials and workmanship to ensure compliance with project specifications. – Collaborated with quality control teams to develop and implement quality assurance protocols. Team Coordination: – Coordinated with various teams, including architects, engineers, and laborers, to ensure seamless project execution. – Facilitated regular meetings with project stakeholders to discuss progress, challenges, and solutions. – Provided technical guidance and support to junior engineers and construction workers. Achievements: – Successfully completed the construction of a 60 residential units two weeks ahead of schedule in November 2022 instead of Dec 2022 – Implemented a new safety training program that reduced on-site accidents by 25%. – Received commendation from the project manager for exceptional leadership and problem-solving skills.

By providing detailed descriptions of your responsibilities and achievements, this section not only illustrates your technical and managerial capabilities but also highlights your contributions to successful project outcomes.

Select Projects Experience Details (Summary)

The Select Projects Experience Details section is essential as it provides concrete examples of your hands-on experience and accomplishments in the field.

It allows you to showcase your ability to manage and contribute to significant projects, demonstrating the depth and breadth of your practical skills.

Highlighting select projects helps reviewers understand the complexity and scope of the work you’ve undertaken, offering a clear picture of your professional capabilities and problem-solving acumen.

In this section, list out select projects, providing detailed descriptions of each one, including the location, company’s role, supervisor, date, client, and your position. Describe the project, your specific responsibilities, challenges you faced, and the solutions you implemented.

If you have had multiple employers, it is advantageous to highlight a project from each employer to show the variety of your experience.

Location:	Date Engaged:	Company Role:
Client:	Supervisor(s):	My Position:
Project Description: …………….. ……
Responsibilities: ………. ……………
Challenges: …………… ………
Solutions: ………. ………………..

You can present it in the format shown in the image above or you can utilize your own preferred style of just list it out as text, ultimately it is all up to you. You don’t have to go too deep in detail, you a project report just for that.

Training and Continuous Development Details

This section is critical for showcasing your commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth which is mandatory for any profession in the world.

CPD is essential for staying current with industry trends, advancing your technical skills, and ultimately maintaining your professional registration (Other countries take it very serious trust me, New Zealand is asking for my past CPD records for the previous 6 years before Chartership).

This section should list all relevant training courses, webinars, certifications, conferences, and speaking engagements you have completed and also your personal and work based learning experiences.

Highlighting your CPD activities demonstrates to the ZIE that you are proactive about enhancing your knowledge and skills, which is crucial for career advancement and effective practice in the engineering field.

Date	CPD Type	Description	Learning Outcomes	Effective CPD Hours	Evidence
15/03/2018	Developmental Activities	Attended ICE seminar on “Structural Engineering Design based on the Eurocode 2:2019”	Enhanced understanding of structural design principles based on the Eurocode 2 and how to implement it in new designs	5	Seminar Attendance Certificate
20/05/2019	Work and Individual Based Activities	Led a double story project for a new client under the supervision of the senior design Engineer	Developed team leadership and client management skills	7	Project Report and Client feedback submitted as Project Report for Professional Review
10/07/2020	Work and Individual Based Activities	Self-study on new software tools for Prokon 4.0	Gained proficiency in using the latest Prokon Software for Structural Analysis and Design	4	Personal Study Log
25/09/2021	Constituent Body Based Activities	Contributed to a panel discussion on urban infrastructure planning	Gained insights on current trends and challenges in urban infrastructure development	1	Panel Discussion Summary Report
15/01/2022	Developmental Activities	Attended a webinar on Green Building Practices ASCE	Understanding of eco-friendly building practices and their benefits	3	Webinar Participation Certificate
10/03/2023	Work and Individual Based Activities	Completed work based safety training	Enhanced knowledge of safety management and compliance in construction	6	Safety Audit Report and Certificate

Appendix

This is the section that concludes your report. It provides the supplementary information and supporting documents that reinforce the content of your report.

This is where you can include photos, lab results, technical drawings or other relevant materials that add context and evidence to your content that you would have written in the previous sections.

Including an appendix not only substantiates your experience but also provides an illustration into your work and achievements.

“Just a quick note, don’t put unnecessary photos here, nobody cares about that selfie of yours with some project activities in the background happening, put the activities center front, you really need to know when something fits and when it doesn’t!!!. Going back to my geeky analogies, if you have seen the Trailer for Gladiator 2 you will know rap music is cool but we don’t need Kanye singing over a fight scene in the colosseum, that’s when you need a Hans Zimmerman soundtrack, all I am saying is use the appropriate supporting documentation not your Tinder or Instagram worthy photos, just as they should have left Kanye for the modern blockbusters , leave your smile for the interview”

Conclusion

After following these guidelines and advice that I have shared with you, you should have a solid training report ready for submission for you to upgrade from a Graduate Member to a Professional Engineer.

Remember to also put some effort into your cover page as it creates the first impression. I am only mentioning this at the end because you need to focus on the quality of your content first before worrying about the cover page. It is not the appearance of a person that counts, but their character and accomplishments.

By following this structured approach, you can effectively present your experience and skills, making your training report a comprehensive and valuable document for ZIE review. This document will not only reflect your technical abilities but also your dedication to continuous improvement and professional development, positioning you as a competent and forward-thinking engineer.

May the Force be with you