Skip to content
Close
contact-banner

APGA Case Based Learning


Case-Based Learning for the Pipeline Industry

Developing Better Safety Decisions Through Real-World Cases

Dates: 22 and/or 23 July 2026 (participants can attend one or both days)

Format: In-person, facilitated workshops

Cost: $850 per person attending (Single Day) | $1,550 per person attending both days | Discounts apply to organisations sending more than 1 participant over the two days. 

Location: Brisbane, QLD

Member: Members only

 

REGISTER NOW

 

Overview

Public safety sits at the core of the pipeline industry’s social licence to operate. Yet many of the most consequential safety decisions are made under pressure, ambiguity, competing priorities, and incomplete information.

This Case-Based Learning (CBL) workshop is a highly interactive, research-backed training program designed specifically for the pipeline industry. Participants engage deeply with real accident case studies—both from within and beyond the energy sector—to examine how decisions were made, why they were made, and how different choices could have changed outcomes.

Rather than focusing on rules or compliance, this program develops decision-making capability, professional judgement, and the confidence to act when public safety is at stake.

The workshop is based on a major Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre (FFCRC) research project, which demonstrated that case-based learning is one of the most effective methods for knowledge transfer among experienced professionals. 

  • Day 1: Transmission Sector

  • Day 2: Network/ Distribution Sector

 

Learning Objectives & Outcomes

Overall Objective
To develop the capability of pipeline industry professionals to make decisions that reflect the paramount importance of public safety.

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Apply lessons from historical accident cases to their own professional practice
  • Better recognise decision points that materially affect public safety
  • Explain the link between individual professional decisions and safety outcomes
  • Identify when and how to act in the interests of public safety—even under pressure
  • Reflect on organisational, cultural, and leadership influences on decision-making

 

Who Should Attend

This workshop is designed for experienced and emerging professionals across the pipeline industry, including:

  • Pipeline engineers (transmission and distribution)
  • Technical specialists and subject-matter experts
  • Project engineers, construction engineers, and project managers
  • Integrity, safety, and risk professionals
  • Operations and maintenance leaders
  • Regulators and client representatives (where appropriate)

Note:
Separate case pathways are used for Transmission and Network / Distribution contexts to ensure relevance to different operating environments. Attendees can attend one or both sessions.

 

Workshop Structure & Format

The program is delivered through two highly interactive facilitated sessions (per day), supported by curated multimedia content and structured reflection.

Session 1 – Reflective Discussion (1.5 hours)

Participants collectively analyse a real accident case using a guided discussion framework:

  • Explore: What happened and why
  • Explain: Observations, assumptions, and decision dynamics
  • Elaborate & Extend: Connections to participants’ own experience and contexts

This session focuses on critical thinking, reflection, and sense-making.

Session 2 – Role Play Simulation (1.5 hours)

Participants step into the roles of key decision-makers involved in a major incident:

  • Multimedia inputs (documentary footage, reports, transcripts)
  • Structured “screenplay” and role briefs provided
  • Participants act out the scenario in real time
  • Facilitated debrief focusing on behaviours, decisions, uncertainty, and trade-offs

This session builds decision confidence, communication skills, and professional courage.

 

Case Studies Used

The workshop draws on globally recognised incidents, carefully selected for their relevance to engineering decision-making and public safety.

Transmission Sector Cases

  • San Bruno Gas Pipeline Explosion (USA)
  • NASA Challenger Space Shuttle Disaster

Network / Distribution Sector Cases

  • Massachusetts Gas Network Overpressure Incident
  • Dreamworld (Qld) Thunder River Rapids Ride Fatalities

Each case is supported by structured learning materials, facilitator guides, and reflection tools. 

 

Facilitator

Susan Jaques

Susan Jaques is a highly experienced facilitator specialising in professional learning for engineers and technical professionals. She was involved in the development of this program through the FFCRC Case-Based Learning Framework research, and has extensive experience delivering facilitated learning in safety-critical industries.

Program pedigree includes:

  • Development grounded in FFCRC Research Project RP2.3
  • Alignment with best-practice adult learning and professional capability development
  • Designed specifically for experienced working professionals
  • Acknowledgement of contributions from leading industry and research figures involved in the original framework

Susan JSusan Jaques is an industry leader in high-pressure pipelines, specialising in pipeline risk management, quality management, and competency development. Originally from Calgary, Canada, she obtained her civil engineering degree from the University of Alberta in 1993 and moved to Brisbane in 1997 for a pipeline project. With a background in industrial infrastructure projects, particularly cross-country high-pressure pipeline projects, she advises industry leaders and young professionals on technical skills in the management of risk, quality, competence, and knowledge.

Susan provides services in facilitation for risk workshops and other collaborative discussions such as lessons learnt and continuous improvement. She also guides people and organisations towards minimal effective quality documentation, and she helps people, teams and companies demonstrate their skills through a philosophy of “credibility beyond credentials”: once you have a qualification, the learning is just beginning.

Susan’ flagship training course “Pipeline Pathways” is a 6-session online introductory overview of the Australian Standard for high-pressure pipelines. Susan is the chair of Standards Australia technical committee that manages and sets the direction of the suite of standards for high pressure pipeline design, construction, testing and operation.

 

 

What’s Included

Participants receive access to a comprehensive set of learning materials, including:

  • Session introduction slide decks
  • Capability development handouts
  • Case study summaries and reflection questions

Feedback and evaluation instruments (including post-course follow-up) 

 

Why This Training Matters

Major incidents rarely occur because people lack technical knowledge. They occur because of how decisions are made, what is prioritised, and whether people feel able to speak up or act.

This Case-Based Learning workshop goes beyond compliance training to address the real decision environments pipeline professionals operate within—before those decisions are tested in the real world.

 

Payment and Terms and conditions

Payment is required to secure your place in the workshop. An invoice will be issued upon registration, and your participation will be confirmed once payment has been received.

APGA reserves the right to amend or cancel this training at any time. 

 

 

REGISTER NOW

 

Subscribe for Updates

Subscribe to our mailing list and be the first to access exclusive industry updates, event announcements, and special offers tailored for professionals in the pipeline and energy sector.