Design Workforce Developmentat South Carolina Department of Transportation

Presented By:Rob Bedenbaugh, P.E.SCDOT Roadway Design Support EngineerJuly 27, 2010

Design Workforce Development

Engineering Orientation

ProgramE-Learning

RE Academy Career Path Development

Training Development

Technology Training

Engineering Workforce

Engineers at SCDOT 759 Engineers with PE 227 Engineers with EIT 140 Engineers with a four-year 488 engineering degree or higher

Engineering Orientation Program

Targets recently hired entry level engineers Provides understanding of SCDOT’s mission,

functions and Organizational Structure Develops a network of engineering contacts Provides training in basic management and

engineering skills

Engineering Orientation Program

Program Structure Approximately 200 hours of involvement Over a period of 12 to 24 months Networking Opportunities through Site Visits E-Learning

Engineering Orientation Program

District Field Operations Maintenance Construction Traffic

Central Office Operations Planning Preconstruction Maintenance Construction Traffic

Office of Materials and Research

Engineering Orientation Program

E-Learning (Online Training Modules) Overview Department’s organizational structure Understanding of the mission of its various divisions Basic Engineering Courses Basic Management Courses

E-Learning

E-Learning also is used to train Engineering Staff on the following subjects: Concrete Pavement Preservation Maintenance of Traffic Environmental Awareness Highway Safety

RE Academy

Resident Engineer (RE) Academy Provides SCDOT employees on a career path leading to Resident

Construction Engineer or Resident Maintenance Engineer an opportunity to review specific job functions of the Resident Engineer

Employees are exposed to project management responsibilities in construction as well as day to day functions contributing to the successful operation of SCDOT maintenance forces. This includes:

Administration Environmental Construction Management Materials Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Bridge Construction/Maintenance Maintenance Management Human Resources

RE Academy

Approx. 15 employees selected annually to attend the academy.

126 employees have trained in the original 5 modules (Administration, Construction, Materials, Environmental, and ITS)

180 employees have completed at least one module since the start of the program in 2003

In 2009, 14 employees were trained in all modules except Human Resources

In 2010, 15 employees are attending the academy

Career Path Development

Leadership’s Commitment SCDOT is committed to developing a diverse workforce of

highly skilled, well qualified individuals “Classification and Compensation Reform” was

incorporated into the Department’s Strategic Plan The reform initiative addressed several key issues to

include the development of career paths

Career Path Development

Classification Philosophy Positions are to be properly and consistently classified,

regardless of location, based upon their functional responsibilities

Managers must continually ensure classification recommendations are consistent

Career Path Development

Advancement Criteria: Employed in permanent position for 12 months Meets minimum training and experience requirements Completed at least three (3) professional development activities Completed all professional development activities which demonstrate job

proficiency Rated at least a “Meets” on all job performances Not under a Warning Notice of Substandard Performance Not experienced a change in classification in past twelve (12) months Not being recommended for advancement to same band/level as

immediate supervisor Not being recommended for advancement from non-supervisory to

supervisory responsibilities Not being recommended for advanced from Band 06 and below to Band 07

Career Path Development

Advancements Advancements can occur throughout the year Advancement is typically to the next level in the

employee’s respective career path Employee must meet specific criteria to advance

316 advancements have occurred to engineering staff since July 2007

This comprises of 45% of our engineering staff

Training Development

Training Development Funding 100% Federally Funded by Section 5204(s) of SAFETEA-LU

“ The Transportation Research Board estimates that approximately 50% ofthe state transportation agency workforce will be eligible to retire within the next10 years. ….. As the labor shortage becomes more pronounced, so to will thecompetition for workers from all industries. Those industries that invest indeveloping their next generation of workers will be in a better position to competefor the smaller labor pool. Section 5204(e) will also provide a greater opportunityto develop the current transportation workforce. ….The core fund workforcedevelopment provisions enhance the state’s ability to prepare individuals fortransportation careers, and to develop current employees including those withmanagement, technical, and vocational job responsibilities. ”

‐excerpt from Guidance for Use of Federal Aid State Core Program Funds forTraining, Education and Workforce Development SAFETEA–LU Section 5204(e)

Training Development

Spring 2007 – Reorganized to divide the Preconstruction Division into four RPGs (Regional Production Groups) and a Preconstruction Support Group

December 2007 – The Preconstruction Support Training Department was created

Training Coordinators oversee the development, implementation, and facilitation of the training classes, maintain department training records, and provide certificates for classes with Professional Development Hours (PDH) for all Preconstruction employees

Training Development

Training Development Coordinators Determine staff training needs Schedule classes Coordinate with the Department’s training office Maintain contact with internal and external professionals

engaged in training activities Create lessons

Training Development

Training Development Course Offerings Spring 2008 – Geosynthetic Conference was held in Columbia,

S.C. Spring 2010 –Partnered with Midlands Technical College (MTC)

to develop and implement Basic Bridge Design and Basic Road Design Classes

Fall 2010 – Currently partnering with MTC to develop an Intermediate Bridge Design Class to be launched in Fall 2010

Continuous offerings of NHI (National Highway Institute) Classes Continuous offerings of Webinars

Training Development

Training Development Statistics 2008: 17 classes 96 attendees 3930.50 PDHs 2009: 14 classes 355 attendees 2529.50 PDHs 2010: 28 classes 442 attendees 4352.00 PDHs

Technology Training

MicroStation/Geopak/IPLOT Training offered on a yearly basis to all CADD Users

Essentials and Intermediate MicroStation Courses Geopak Roadway Design Courses Geopak Drainage Courses Geopak Roadway Modeler Courses IPLOT Course Bentley Online Training Courses

Engineering Software Training Training offered on a yearly basis to select engineers

AutoTurn, TORUS, GuidSIGN Courses Hydraulic Software Courses Structural/Geotechnical Software Courses Construction Software Courses (Leica, Trimble, Eaglepoint/SMI)

Technology Training

Transportation Technology Transfer Service (T3S) Established partnership with Clemson University Provides technical training courses for:

Erosion and Sediment Control Asphalt Construction Sign Retroreflectivity Engineering Conferences Stormwater Plan Review Work Zone Bridge Maintenance/Inspection and various other course offerings

Questions?

SCDOT Website: www.scdot.org

Contact Info:Rob Bedenbaugh, P.E.SCDOT Roadway Design Support Engineer(803) 737-1134bedenbaugr@scdot.org