Addressing Shortage of Construction Inspection Staff: ODOT Initiative
In response to a shortage of construction inspection staff, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) implemented a Consultant Inspector prequalification program in January 2015. This initiative aimed to establish a uniform professional standard for ODOT projects, enhance efficiency, and ensure adaptability to evolving industry requirements. By partnering with community colleges and focusing on attracting and developing staff, ODOT seeks to address the lack of sufficiently trained inspectors and meet the needs of a retiring workforce.
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Gary Angles, P.E., Administrator, Construction Administration - ODOT Merka Flynn, Project Manager, Construction Administration ODOT Terry Bolden, Administrator, Outreach, Division of Opportunity, Diversity, and Inclusion - ODOT Doug House, Chair, Design, Construction & Trades - Columbus State Community College Randy Over, P.E. - Engineering Education Consultant Jon Link, Faculty Coordinator, Civil Engineering and Surveying Columbus State Community College Aric Bennett, Principal / Vice President, The Mannik Smith Group, Inc.
2012 Division of Construction Administration determined that prequalification of Consultant Inspectors should be considered ODOT/ACEC Committee created to examine the issue of Consultant Inspector prequalification Consultant Inspectors should be prequalified
January 2015 - Full implementation of Consultant Inspector prequalification requirements. Rationale: Uniform professional standard for administration of ODOT projects. Improvement upon efficiency and effectiveness - in-depth and broader skill set. Establish an Inspector of the Future can adapt to: New technologies, Greater complexity of projects, Changes in ODOT inspection requirements.
Inspection Project Inspector Coatings Inspector Soils and Aggregate Inspector Project Structures Inspector Traffic Signal & Lighting Inspector Contract Administration Construction Engineer I / Construction Manager Construction Engineer II
Shortage of Construction Inspection Staff: Construction Engineering and Inspection is necessary to fulfill ODOT s policy directive Retirement of experienced staff/baby-boomer generation Current workforce with a larger proportion of workers over age 55 Lack of sufficiently trained and prequalified consultant inspectors
Attracting and Developing Staff Partnering with Ohio-Based Civil Engineering/Construction Management Community College Programs Support the need for educated, trained and experienced construction inspection/administration staff Use community colleges Provide open access and affordability Flexible enrollment Evening and weekend course time available for the working student Students can enroll at community colleges at any time during the year Opportunity for certifications/credentials only Two year degree open door for four year degree Industry focused and supported
A joint effort of Columbus State, ODOT and ACEC Ohio to create a workforce of job-ready entry level consultant construction inspectors the next generation of highway and bridge construction inspectors (career pathway).
Shortage of Qualified & Experienced Inspectors Increased Complexity of Inspection Formal Industry Supported Programs Large and Numerous Highway & Bridge Projects in Ohio
Initiated May 17, 2018 Goal of 1st CIWP Graduates Prequalified as ODOT Consultant Construction Inspectors Late 2020 Curriculum Supportive of Becoming Certified with NICET Levels I & II, passing ODOT required tests and obtaining ODOT required certifications Education Credit Towards NICET Levels I & II Experience Requirements
CSCC as One Stop Shop for Students (and Employers) Formal Education NICET Certification Testing Curriculum & Certifications for ACI Level I, Ohio Aggregate Level I Curriculum & Testing for Flexible Pavement and Work Zone Safety Tests Internship Opportunities Outreach Plan to Existing Students and Career Technical High Schools Program Operations Manual/Guidebook
Process for CIWP Student Names/Contacts at CSCC, updated w/ACEC Ohio & ODOT Student Commitment CSCC being a One Stop Shop Curriculum For: Ohio Aggregate Level I Certification & Ohio Asphalt Level I and Work Zone Traffic Tests Outreach Plan for Columbus City Schools Career Technical High Schools Formal Agreement w/NICET for CIWP Education Credit Towards Experience, Net 12 months of Standard 20 months Experience Requirement for Level II First Interns 2019 Construction Season Spring 2019 end of June Program Operations Manual/Guidebook Benchmark w/State DOT s, Community Colleges and Industry Advisory Group Central Ohio then to Cleveland (LCCC), Cincinnati (Cincinnati State), other urban areas Akron/Canton (Stark State) & Dayton (Sinclair Community)
Certification & Licensure Paths Starting with CIWP ODOT Prequalified Inspectors + Additional Certifications - Project Structure Inspector - Coatings Inspector - Traffic Signal and Lighting Inspector -Soils and Aggregate Inspector -NICET Levels III & IV BS in Civil Engineering (Ohio University) + Experience and Testing = Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) Construction Engineer/PM Contractor & Inspectors Work for You
Expand CIWP state wide (multiple urban areas might be underway simultaneously): Ohio Construction Engineering Technology Colleges/Universities in the Cleveland, Columbus, Akron, Cincinnati and Dayton areas. Connect with additional schools and trade organizations. Provide Internships Support Students - Tuition, Certification Costs, Flexible Work Schedules, Sponsor Field Days Support Existing Employees - Enter the CIWP, targeted CSCC Courses for NICET Certification
Purpose Provide longer-term guidance, feedback regarding quality of graduates and quality of program components (e.g. NICET Level II pass rates, certifications testing pass rates, rehire rates, etc.) MEMBERS: CSCC - Doug House, Jon Link, Randy Over CTL Engineering - David Breitfeller DLZ Engineering - Gary Bowen Beaver Excavating Jack Ford ODOT - Director Jack Marchbanks, Brad Jones, Myron Pakush, Brian Brown, Stefan Spinosa, Terry Bolden, Gary Angles, Matt Mauger, Merka Flynn City of Columbus James Young Mannik Smith Group - Darren Schimmoeller Franklin County Engineer's Office - Scott Roe
Project Inspector Internship represents a training and mentorship program. Intent of the Program Provide the project technical/field experience and knowledge needed to meet the prequalification requirements for a Project Inspector.
Individual not yet prequalified as a Project Inspector. Hired by a firm that provides construction engineering, management or inspection services. Full-time or part-time basis. Closely supervised by either a qualified Project Inspector, Construction Engineer or Construction Manager.
Intern I High School Diploma or high school equivalency (HiSET, TASC, or GED). Ability to read, write, and communicate in English and do basic math computation for length, area and volume. No project technical/field experience required.
Intern II Meet Intern I requirements. Minimum 6 months (Minimum 3 months inspecting highway bridge project. Maximum 3 months related construction experience.) OR Enrolled in an Associate Degree program or higher in Civil Engineering Technology, Construction Engineering Technology, Construction Management, or in an ODOT recognized construction inspection training program, i.e., CIWP. Intern III Meet requirements for Intern II plus additional 6 months highway/bridge inspection experience.
During period of internship, provide for experience in as many technical areas as possible Support becoming certified in ACI Level I and Ohio Aggregate Level I Support successful completion of: ODOT Flexible Pavement Test ODOT Traffic Work Zone Test NICET Highway Construction Level I and II tests
Project Inspector Project Structure Inspector Coatings Inspector Soils & Aggregates Inspector Traffic Signal & Lighting Inspector Aggregate Totals (many be prequalified in more than one category) 2019 227 134 75 170 15 Prequalified in One Category ONLY 2019 75 77 58 111 6
