Published
The classic 1990s training video, The Sid Story, hits the nail on the end when it encourages the night-shift supervisor to share each team’s performance stats because ‘we all like to know how we are doing’. So following their advice, here is the data from the Major Projects Association Accredible account since we started issuing badges, just under a year ago, to recognise and reward member achievement and contribution:
“I was delighted to receive the my digital badge for MPA Rising Star, which I have downloaded and shared on LinkedIn. The badge shows my association with the MPA’s 2020 Rising Stars cohort, which I am honoured to be part of and truly grateful to my company AECOM for nominating me for it. Attending the 2-day MPA’s 2020 Rising Stars Event was a very enriching and learning experience for me.” Anupriya Prabhuswamy, MEng, PE, AECOM
Major Projects Association is a knowledge sharing, community of practice and as such, we do not offer formal qualifications or otherwise accredit the experience of our members. In many organizations, the acts of knowledge sharing, coaching, mentoring and advising, which are a fundamental part of personal and organizational growth, are freely given without the anticipation of anything more than a ‘thank you’ and so being able to mark these contributions with a digital badge is significant. It:
- allows members to share and celebrate their contribution to the Association and to other members;
- provides members with an informal accreditation that can become part of their career development;
- enables the Association to showcase a number of our important activities, including our development programmes and our ambassadors and to say ‘thank you’ to our event speakers.
“The digital badges help to promote MPA as an Association and the Rising Stars programme, which motivates and rewards people. They’re a good way for employers to recognise the good work of their employees. A digital badge is an achievement.” Erika Oliveros, Wood PLC
The Association awards the following digital badges:
- Delegates on the annual Rising Stars (the early career development programme)
- Delegates on the Challenge of Major Projects (the development programme for more advanced practitioners)
- Delegates on the Major Projects Simulator (the full-day simulation we run twice a year)
- Main Rep (the organization’s main point of contact with the Association)
- Ambassadors (a support role for the Main Rep)
- Sustainability Ambassadors (representing their organization in the Associations sustainability network)
- Programme Committee (a member of the advisory body which oversees the design of the Association’s main events programme)
- Studies Working Group (advising on the Association’s research studies)
- EDI Working Group (advising the Association on events and research activities relating to equality, diversity and inclusion)
- Board Member (the Association’s Board sets the general direction and defines the member services provided by Association)
- Speaker (the speakers on our main programme of events are largely drawn from the Association membership)
“Having regularly engaged with the MPA over the years, both as a MPA Ambassador and Rising Star, I found the badges demonstrate my affiliation with the organization but also serve as a vehicle for promoting events and the Knowledge Repository. I would highly recommend members and course attendees to share their badges and get others involved. Bringing in cross-sector learning to tackle major challenges through our grandest projects and programmes is something the MPA is all about.” Dr Frederick Levy, BEng, EngD, MBA, Turner & Townsend
Data, in all its forms, has the potential to transform the world of major projects, although many applications are still in their infancy. The Major Projects Association digital badges programme is part of that change; enabling project delivery professionals to mark, track and showcase their personal achievements in a form that is understood and welcomed by their peers and their employers.
“Digital credentials including certificates and badges are a representation of skills, knowledge, and experience. Hosted online, there is no restriction on what information a digital credential can include and how much supporting evidence can be added. Issuers can detail demonstrated abilities through the addition of skill tags, and provide evidence of outcomes through attached documentation.” Accredible.com
If you are a member of and have contributed to the Association through one of the roles or programmes described above then talk to Ashleigh Walsh about how to access and download your digital badge.