A masterful development

In 2015, Salini Impregilo started to collaborate with Politecnico di Milano University and outstanding partners for specialist training and integrating young new graduates into the world of work. Together, they created a Master’s in International Construction Management with the third edition of the programme to start in September 2018.

The course is aimed at new graduates in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Building Systems Engineering, Building and Architecture Engineering, Building Engineering, Management Engineering and similar scientific disciplines. Its aim is to train professionals with specific skills in management and worksite processes in large, international infrastructure projects.

The Master’s Programme is taught in English and content and academic activities will be delivered in two main stages: the first stage (approximately three months) consists of class-based teaching delivered by Salini Impregilo’s Professionals and Managers, together with Professors from the Politecnico di Milano. Classroom teaching will be delivered using various methods: lectures, e-learning, workshops, business cases, testimonials, project work, exercises and site visits.

The second stage will be dedicated to on-the-job training through a six-month internship at Salini Impregilo, either in Italy or abroad, which will be carried out under the guidance of a company tutor and will act as the basis for the Master’s dissertation. The final three months will be dedicated to writing up the dissertation to be submitted to the Committee and the subsequent achievement of gaining the diploma/certificate.

All students will have access to learning materials and video-recorded lectures that will be uploaded onto an online platform, where they may be viewed until graduation.

The main topics of the programme are:

• Project Management Fundamental Principles
• Digital Innovation in Construction 
• Introduction to Project Management: Delivery Methods
• Financial Report Analysis and Industrial Accounting Principles
• Contracts and Legal Aspects 
• HR Management and Organisation principles
• Communication 
• International Tender Management
• Risk Management 
• Project Execution 
• Planning Basics 
• Cost Control 
• Worksite Plant and Equipment 
• Temporary Works 
• Outdoor Rock Excavation 
• Tunneling Works
• Concrete Works and Earth Movement 
• Environment, Quality and Safety
• Procurement 
• Insurance
• Lean Construction

The classroom activities cover a wide rage of topics related to International Construction Management with a 360° perspective: from the technical side to the management/economic side, covering the entire value chain of Salini’s business.

This allows students to easily get the full picture of all the company’s main processes and activities, having at the same time the chance to deepen each topic thanks to the critical knowledge and expertise of the trainer.

The actual distinctive attribute of this training programme is that more than 75% of tuition is provided by Salini Impregilo managers and professionals, enhancing a virtuous circle of knowledge transfer and the sharing of the company’s culture and values.

The full immersion in the company business is also strengthened thanks to the several business cases and the on-site visits.

The program also offers students the possibility to improve some basic soft skills for effective communication, problem-solving and team work.

Every year the program is slightly reshuffled and enriched. The 2018 edition will offer, for example, a special focus on Digital Innovation in Construction and BIM Management.

Once the Master’s is complete, the students will be qualified to apply for the following roles, among others: Junior Technical Office Engineer, Junior Site Engineer, Junior Cost Controller, Junior Planner, Junior Buyer, Junior Hse Engineer, Junior Plant & Equipment Engineer. In line with its talent acquisition policy, Salini Impregilo reserves the right to offer a role to the students who successfully complete the Specializing Master’s. At the end of the previous Master’s programme, all students were offered roles.

Selection process

Fifteen students will enroll in the Master’s programme. The selection process of the students who will start in September was expected to be completed at the end of July, as we go to press. The average age is 26. There were six female students and a number of international students already confirmed to attend. The selection process starts with the screening of the admission requests received by Politecnico di Milano. The University verifies the alignment of the admission requests with the requirements as they are stated in the Master’s official regulation.

The screened candidates are then involved in a structured selection process led by the Salini Impregilo HR Team which comprises: personality and analytical skills tests; English language assessment; team work; in-basket exercises; and individual interview. The purpose of this selection is to assess the attitudinal and motivational characteristics compared to the business sector of the course. 

Salini Impregilo, in agreement with the Master’s Committee, has the possibility of providing full or partial grants to the most deserving students to support their training. These grants will be announced at the end of the admission process.

Future plans

Competition in the construction sector for complex infrastructure projects has changed dramatically. It is now increasingly based on being able to demonstrate strong competencies in human capital, which is central to creating value and developing new business.

As a global company, Salini Impregilo said it intends to grow by attracting and developing the most talented individuals.

It also aims to contribute to the sector’s future in a responsible way by investing in training programmes with the best universities in the world, in order to help transfer vital knowledge from senior experts to engineers who have just begun their professional careers. The company has already been scouting opportunities to develop initiatives similar to the Master’s programme with other universities at the international level ?

For further information on the Master’s programme, please email: masterapplication@salini-impregilo.com  

Graduate experience

Juan Maria Dewez, a Franco-Argentinian, has just graduated from the 2017-2018 edition of the programme. Here he shares his experiences. 

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself? 

I’m Juan Maria Dewez, a 25-year-old civil engineer from Cordoba,  Argentina. I began my studies at Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, where I got my degree in Civil Engineering. Thanks to a double degree programme I was accepted by Politecnico di Torino for a Master of Science in Infrastructure and Transport. After this, I got the chance of being part of a II Level Master in International Construction Management launched by Salini Impregilo and Politecnico di Milano. 

2. Why did you apply to do the Master's? 

I have always wanted to be part of the infrastructure world and considered that the Master’s was a challenging way to jump in, creating a link between University and infrastructure market. 

3. How did your interest in construction management develop? 

I consider a mistake that most of the careers linked to construction just focus on technical aspects. In order to manage a construction project, engineers need to have a 360° panorama. 

4. What was your overall experience of the Master’s? 

The experience was fantastic. We had lectures that gave us a full vision of how the Infrastructure market works and had the opportunity to be part of an Internship in a market leading company. 

5. What part of the Master’s did you enjoy the most, or find the most useful? 

Besides the fact that the lectures were awesome, I consider that the most useful part is the people you meet. During the whole process you get in touch with experienced professionals and create a friendship with young engineers who might become your colleagues. You connect with people who share the passion for construction.

6. What was your path once you completed the Master’s? 

After I graduated, the company gave me the possibility of having a work experience in one of its projects abroad. I am now part of a metro line project in Doha, Qatar. 

7. Can you describe your current work? 

I work as a Technical Office Engineer. My role is to develop activities such as finalizing activities performed by the technical office at the construction site, checking and correcting the drawings, checking and rectifying the already built parts and designing the undefined parts of the project. The Technical Office works as an interface between the different Subcontractors and the Client.

8. What do you hope to achieve in your career? 

I’d like to be part of different projects across the world and win the necessary experience to one day become a Project Manager.

9. Any advice for people thinking of applying for the Master’s in the future? 

I totally recommend it for people willing to become part of this world. The Master’s will give you all the necessary tools to start your career in the International Construction market.