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EITs meet to learn from each other

Two of the best forms of learning were evident when participants in ITD’s Engineer In Training program assembled for their annual conference Tuesday (April 3) in Boise. EITs took the opportunity to learn from each other and to analyze what has worked well or failed on past projects.

The EIT conference featured a full day of presentations and discussions related to construction projects throughout the state. Although independent of the bi-annual ITD Development Conference, the assembly Tuesday afforded participants the opportunity to take advantage of both forums consecutively.

Following opening remarks by Dan Gorley, ITD Director Pam Lowe provided an overview of the department’s revenue needs. She also challenged each person in the audience to be prepared to deliver the message to community groups that ITD’s funding falls short of meeting the demands of a rapidly growing transportation system.

District 3 board member Monte McClure and EIT Coordinator Matt Farrar also addressed the EITs.

Engineers then stepped to the forefront to explain the unique challenges they faced while working on major construction projects. Presenters included Chad Clawson, Jerry Wilson, Ryan Hawkins, Tisha Hyde, Billy Fullmer, Justin Wuest, Erika Stoddard and Justin Price.

The EIT program was created as a broad-based training track for civil engineering graduates. The goal is to provide a pool of engineers capable of meeting the technical and management needs of ITD today and in the future.

EITs rotate through assignments in all of the major engineering functions of the department, including construction, materials, maintenance, bridge and roadway design, traffic, planning and programming, and administration. They work under a licensed professional engineer within the department and receive invaluable on-the-job, structured training.

They usually spend about three years to complete a variety of assignments within ITD’s districts, then spend about 18 months in assignments at Headquarters and follow with placement as Transportation Staff Engineers.

Among the ITD engineers who have completed the EIT process are Steve Hutchinson, Chief Engineer; Andrea Storjohann, District 1 assistant engineer; and Nestor Fernandez, GARVEE Program administrator.

The EIT program recently unveiled a new site on the ITD Web. More information about the program is available at the Web site: http://itd.idaho.gov/EIT/