APWA and IPWEA Expand Long-Term Strategic Partnership

Kansas City, MO – February 24, 2021 – The American Public Works Association (APWA) and the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) have recently entered into an 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.

The agreement facilitates APWA’s efforts to develop strategic and global alliances with other organizations to promote APWA’s education and credentialing programs and IPWEA’s objective to engage with strategic partners and industry. 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 recognize as a key element in the design, construction, maintenance and renewal of municipal infrastructure and a long-term contributor to the sustainable delivery of services to our communities.

“APWA is excited to extend and expand our long-term partnership with IPWEA,” said APWA President Mary Joyce Ivers. “Through this strategic alignment of organizational activities, APWA and IPWEA have enhanced the available technical and professional opportunities for every one of our members. This successful partnership will continue to grow 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.”

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 twenty 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.

“There’s always been a willingness to work together around conferences and events, but now we’re looking at our products, services, and how we can bring that to a larger audience,” said IPWEA President Rita Excell. “People in public works in the southern hemisphere can learn from America and Canada, and vice versa. It’s about sharing knowledge, sharing best practices, and that’s what I’m most excited about.”

The continuation of this valued partnership furthers APWA’s goal to serve as the best credentialing (certification and accreditation) resource for the public works community throughout the world, as well as IPWEA’s objective to grow professional networks to inform, connect and transfer knowledge. 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.

For additional information about IPWEA, please contact IPWEA CEO David Jenkins at [email protected].

For additional information about APWA’s international efforts, please contact APWA Director of Sustainability and Canadian Government Affairs Anne Jackson at [email protected].

For additional information about APWA, please contact APWA Public Affairs Manager Charlie Arena at [email protected], or by phone at (202) 218 – 6736.

Please be sure to subscribe to the APWA Reporter, and follow @APWATWEETS and @APWAGovAffairs on Twitter for more APWA news.

About APWA

The American Public Works Association (www.apwa.net) is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 30,000 members involved in the field of public works. APWA serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy, and the exchange of knowledge. APWA is headquartered in Kansas City, MO, has an office in Washington, D.C., and 63 chapters and 97 branches throughout North America.

About IPWEA

The Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia is the peak association for municipal and public works professionals in Australia and New Zealand. IPWEA is a global leader in the delivery of sustainable infrastructure asset management, financial planning and reporting.