SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Transportation is preparing to recruit the next generation of civil engineers with a new program.

IDOT announced their Intern to Hire initiative Monday to fight the shortage of civil engineers.
College students studying civil engineering at any university accredited by Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology are being recruited for internships. Once they complete their degree, they will be officially in the work force.

“We’re excited for young people to take advantage of this innovative program to help them move from college internship to full-time employment at IDOT, while helping us get more work out on the street more efficiently,” Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi said in a statement. “IDOT also will benefit by retaining the interns we’ve already spent time training, allow us to build a staff that sees the department as a place to grow.” 

Department officials said that hands-on training will net them a great career.

More than 60 positions are open across the state. Filling them will keep the agency moving like a well-oiled machine.

“We have seasoned engineers ready here ready to retire, so this is that time to get that young engineer to get trained by the seasoned engineer to keep the ball rolling,” Aisha Price, Recruitment Section Manager for IDOT said.

According to the American Council of Engineering Companies, 82,000 engineers are needed in the transportation industry across the country. Yet the industry has faced a shortage for more than a decade.

“The job diversity has been increasing, which is good for society,” Yanfeng Ouyang, Illinois Center for Transportation’s associate director for mobility, said. “But on the other hand, they divert some of our potential new blood away from this profession.”

Enough civil engineers are essential to fixing many problems in society.

“We build bridges buildings, roads, and we make sure that people can live a comfortable life,” Ouyang said. “If we are short of engineers like that, our infrastructure is going to face a lot of challenges.”

The deadline for applications for the first round of applicants is October 3. College students interested in the program can apply here.