The Illinois Department of Transportation is launching a new initiative aimed at attracting fresh talent to the civil engineering field.

IDOT announced their Intern to Hire initiative Monday to fight the shortage of civil engineers.

The program is targeting college students who are pursuing civil engineering degrees at universities accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. These students will have the opportunity to intern at IDOT, with the potential to transition to full-time positions after graduation.

Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi expressed enthusiasm for the program, emphasizing its dual purpose: providing students a direct pathway from education to employment and helping IDOT enhance its efficiency. Biagi noted, “By converting our interns into employees, we retain their skills and foster a team that views IDOT as a long-term career prospect.”

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.

Aisha Price, who manages recruitment at IDOT, highlighted the urgency of the program: “Many of our seasoned engineers are nearing retirement, making it crucial to train the next generation of engineers now.”

The American Council of Engineering Companies reports a national demand for 82,000 transportation engineers, pointing out that the industry has been grappling with a persistent shortage for over ten years.

Yanfeng Ouyang, associate director for mobility at the Illinois Center for Transportation, remarked on the increasing diversity within engineering job roles, which he sees as beneficial to society, while acknowledging that it might be pulling potential candidates away from the transportation sector.

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.