Industry groups hit the road to promote engineering, public works careers

The campaign will spotlight the need for workers to help address the country’s pressing infrastructure challenges.

Dive Brief:

• In response to the country’s aging infrastructure needs amid a persistent worker shortage, three trade associations in the construction and engineering sphere have launched a campaign to highlight career opportunities in the sector.
• The American Council of Engineering Companies, the American Public Works Association and the American Society of Civil Engineers announced a nationwide partnership this week to raise awareness about the work of engineers and public works professionals.
• Over the coming months, Infrastructure Works — An Engineering and Public Works Roadshow will focus attention on these types of jobs by highlighting industry projects that improve climate resiliency, ensure the delivery of clean air and water and promote energy efficiency, the groups said in a release shared with Construction Dive.

Dive Insight:

In the coming months, the groups will hold events across the country that highlight the value of engineering and public works careers in order to attract students and future employees to these types of roles.

“This partnership will showcase future-ready engineering projects and innovation, and introduce the public, and particularly our young citizens, to the wonder of engineered systems and infrastructure, as well as the benefits of a creative and rewarding career in engineering and design,” said Tom Smith, ASCE executive director.

The initiative comes at a critical time. According to the ACEC Research Institute, the bipartisan infrastructure bill Congress passed last year is expected to add more than 82,000 full- and part-time jobs in engineering, public works and design services over the next five years. Finding professionals to fill these roles is especially critical as the industry faces unprecedented workforce shortages, the groups said in the release.

A recent ACEC Research Institute survey found two-thirds of ACEC member firms expect to increase their backlog of projects over the next year. Right now, the median backlog stands at 11 months, with 49% of respondents reporting a backlog of one year or more.