Finch, AECOM’s Australia-New Zealand director of technology and risk, heads both the firm’s office of risk management and its innovation and technology council.

He was instrumental in developing a project delivery system AECOM adopted globally and also led the development of the company’s project management training program.

Finch is also an adjunct professor with the University of Queensland’s civil engineering department.

He plans to use the coming year to promote educational initiatives he is developing with Engineers Australia and is calling on the profession to “give back” to high schools and universities facing funding and teaching resource shortages.

“Engineering is an extremely popular tertiary course in Australia and we produce more graduates per capita than any other English speaking country,” Finch said.

“However, courses are under pressure from escalating student numbers and funding isn’t increasing so that standards are maintained.

“The teaching of science and maths in schools is also suffering and our profession can play an important role in helping teachers make these subjects more interesting and build students’ understanding of how they can be used in their careers.”

As Engineers Australia education linkages sub-committee chair, Finch is leading an Engineers Australia initiative to help teachers deliver the curriculum by supplying them with sustainability-themed maths and science lesson plans created by education specialists.

“As engineers, we need to work more with teachers’ associations on projects such as these, to support these teachers to inspire the next generation of engineers.”

Engineers Australia awards sub-committee chairman Stuart Lister said Finch epitomised the role of the professional engineer.

“He has had sterling leadership roles serving industry, education, his profession and the community and has led a diverse range of disciplines from Aboriginal community in outback Australia to major urban transportation projects,” Lister said.

Finch will be a finalist for Engineers Australia’s 2011 Australia Professional Engineer of the Year Award, which will be announced on November 23.

This story first appeared in ILN's sister publication ConstructionIndustryNews.net.