Graduate Profile: Boral's Matthew Walpole
Matthew graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Engineering (mechanical)/Bachelor of Design (industrial design). He has spent time with Boral both as an undergraduate and as part of Boral’s Graduate Program. He currently works in operations.
“I have been employed by Boral for three years. Starting as an undergraduate I took a gap year and worked in the Vic Metro concrete business as a laboratory hand to meet the additional operational requirements of the East-link project. My main duties were to conduct basic concrete testing but I also participated in the trial mix process, developing concrete mix designs for the East-link tunnel, including a large site trial.
When I returned to my studies, I worked as a casual in the Technical Services Department. To fit with my studies I worked irregular hours conducting specialty testing for the East-link tunnel, including the drilling of concrete core samples temperature match curing and sampling for other tests.
At the completion of my studies I took up a graduate role within the Vic Metro concrete business, in the Technical Services Department. I saw a significant shift in my role and progressive increase in my responsibilities. I took over responsibility for conducting site safety meetings, and recording information for the R&D claim. I became involved with specialty projects within the department including a high level structural review of the Technical Services Department, a large technical investigation into use of concrete by one of our major precasting customers, development of a Boral standardised maturity method for the prediction of concrete strength, and other small projects including preparation/documentation of standard operating procedures and development of specialty concrete utilising new materials.
With Boral, I have learnt how to apply the technical knowledge I gained at university to the concrete business. I have learnt how to adapt that knowledge and my skills across different projects and types of problems even those which appear to have no bearing on the engineering discipline. I have also learnt to value continuing professional development for progression and job satisfaction.
Currently I am in a role transition, I am moving from the Vic Metro concrete business into concrete overlay. I will be employed as a Technical Development Specialist. This role will see me moving to Brisbane to be involved in some major projects. I will also continue to participate in specialty skills and technical training.
What I like most about Boral:
The opportunity to be involved in technically challenging projects; to know that I am participating in a team that produces the best products in our industry, products which make modern infrastructure work possible; to know that I am going home safely at the end of every work day and week, so I can risk my life rock climbing on the weekends.”
For more information on the Boral Graduate Program, visit www.boral.com.au/graduates.
