Design Workforce Development
at South Carolina Department of Transportation
Presented By:
Rob Bedenbaugh, P.E.
SCDOT Roadway Design Support Engineer
July 27, 2010
Design Workforce Development
Engineering
Orientation
Program
E-Learning
RE Academy
Career Path
Development
Training
Development
Technology
Training
Engineering Workforce
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Engineers at SCDOT
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Engineers with PE
Engineers with EIT
Engineers with a four-year
engineering degree or higher
759
227
140
488
Engineering Orientation Program
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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
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Program Structure
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Approximately 200 hours of involvement
Over a period of 12 to 24 months
Networking Opportunities through Site Visits
E-Learning
Engineering Orientation Program
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District Field Operations
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Central Office Operations
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Maintenance
Construction
Traffic
Planning
Preconstruction
Maintenance
Construction
Traffic
Office of Materials and Research
Engineering Orientation Program
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E-Learning (Online Training Modules)
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Overview Department’s organizational structure
Understanding of the mission of its various divisions
Basic Engineering Courses
Basic Management Courses
E-Learning
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E-Learning also is used to train Engineering Staff on
the following subjects:
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Concrete Pavement Preservation
Maintenance of Traffic
Environmental Awareness
Highway Safety
RE Academy
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Resident Engineer (RE) Academy
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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:
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Administration
Environmental
Construction Management
Materials
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
Bridge Construction/Maintenance
Maintenance Management
Human Resources
RE Academy
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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
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Leadership’s Commitment
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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
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Classification Philosophy
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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
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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
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Advancements
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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
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Training Development Funding
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100% Federally Funded by Section 5204(s) of SAFETEA-LU
“ The Transportation Research Board estimates that approximately 50% of
the state transportation agency workforce will be eligible to retire within the next
10 years. ….. As the labor shortage becomes more pronounced, so to will the
competition for workers from all industries. Those industries that invest in
developing their next generation of workers will be in a better position to compete
for the smaller labor pool. Section 5204(e) will also provide a greater opportunity
to develop the current transportation workforce. ….The core fund workforce
development provisions enhance the state’s ability to prepare individuals for
transportation careers, and to develop current employees including those with
management, technical, and vocational job responsibilities. ”
‐excerpt from Guidance for Use of Federal Aid State Core Program Funds for
Training, Education and Workforce Development SAFETEA–LU Section 5204(e)
Training Development
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Spring 2007 – Reorganized to divide the Preconstruction Division into four
RPGs (Regional Production Groups) and a Preconstruction Support Group
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December 2007 – The Preconstruction Support Training Department was
created
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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
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Training Development Coordinators
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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
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Training Development Course Offerings
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Spring 2008 – Geosynthetic Conference was held in Columbia,
S.C.
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Spring 2010 –Partnered with Midlands Technical College (MTC)
to develop and implement Basic Bridge Design and Basic Road
Design Classes
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Fall 2010 – Currently partnering with MTC to develop an
Intermediate Bridge Design Class to be launched in Fall 2010
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Continuous offerings of NHI (National Highway Institute) Classes
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Continuous offerings of Webinars
Training Development
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Training Development Statistics
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2008:
2009:
2010:
17 classes
14 classes
28 classes
96 attendees
355 attendees
442 attendees
3930.50 PDHs
2529.50 PDHs
4352.00 PDHs
Technology Training
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MicroStation/Geopak/IPLOT
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Training offered on a yearly basis to all CADD Users
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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
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Training offered on a yearly basis to select engineers
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AutoTurn, TORUS, GuidSIGN Courses
Hydraulic Software Courses
Structural/Geotechnical Software Courses
Construction Software Courses (Leica, Trimble, Eaglepoint/SMI)
Technology Training
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Transportation Technology Transfer Service (T3S)
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Established partnership with Clemson University
Provides technical training courses for:
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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) 737-1134
bedenbaugr@scdot.org