The American Public Works Association (APWA) and the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) have renewed their agreement to expand their reach and deliver greater value through education to their members in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Both organizations are focused on facilitating the exchange of ideas, technology, resources, and management practices for professionals who deliver public works and infrastructure services.

“APWA is pleased to extend our long-term partnership with IPWEA,” said APWA President Stan Brown. “Through this strategic alignment, APWA and IPWEA continue to enhance technical and professional opportunities for our members. This successful partnership will broaden APWA and IPWEA’s international presence and heighten the ability of all public works professionals to provide essential services in their communities across the world.”

“IPWEA is delighted to continue the long-standing relationship with APWA. We share many things in common and this two-year extension is a reflection of the positive sentiment and progress made,” said IPWEA Australasia President Myles Lind.

The ongoing agreement, which has been renewed for an additional 2 years, facilitates IPWEA’s objective to engage with strategic international partners and to increase recognition of IPWEA’s educational offering. The agreement supports APWA’s efforts to develop strategic and global alliances with other organizations to promote APWA’s education and credentialing programs.

Members of both associations will benefit from the exchange of educational and credentialing programs, publications and products, events and leadership opportunities. Areas of collaboration include asset management, which both associations recognise as a key element in the design, construction, maintenance and renewal of infrastructure and a long-term contributor to the sustainable delivery of services to our communities.

APWA and IPWEA have an established history of technology exchange through study tours and attendance at each organization’s conferences.

Since 2004, APWA has sponsored 20 individuals to study in Australia and New Zealand in collaboration with IPWEA as part of APWA’s Jennings Randolph International Fellowship program. This program supports travel and participation at a public works conference of one of APWA's international partners and a public works study tour in that country.

The continuation of this valued partnership furthers IPWEA’s goal to grow professional networks to inform, connect and transfer knowledge on an international stage, as well as APWA’s objective to serve as the best credentialing (certification and accreditation) resource for the public works community throughout the world. APWA and IPWEA look forward to expanding markets outside their member bases through discounting and cross promotion of education programs, online training courses and publications.