NSF ATE Engineering Technician Program

为了解决土木工程毕业生短缺的问题，目前在各机构和行业中由土木工程师完成的大部分工作都可以由工程技术人员完成。现场和实验室数据收集、元素分析和施工质量控制等工作都可以由工程技术人员完成。该项目培养了一批工程技术人员，开设了一门课程，降低了对工程学位的高阶数学要求，并以更适合工程技术人员的实用课程取代了这些课程。课程包括材料特性、结构测试、数据收集和统计质量控制等课程。此外，该计划还寻求行业的帮助，在暑期提供就业机会，并在学年期间提供兼职工作。这一实践培训使学生能够体验到他们的课程在现实世界中的应用。行业监管人员指导学生，并将他们培养成土木工程技术人员的有价值的员工。还向选定的考生提供奖学金，以使他们能够参加全部课程。这种严格的实践教育，加上同时进行的在职培训，培养了一支能够满足现场需求的技术人员队伍。

To address a shortage of civil engineering graduates, much of the work currently done by civil engineers in agencies and industry can be performed by engineering technicians. Work such as field and laboratory data collection, elementary analysis and construction quality control could all be performed by engineering technicians. This project develops a cadre of engineering technicians by offering a curriculum which reduces the higher order mathematics requirement for an engineering degree and substitutes for these courses more practical courses suitable for engineering technicians. Courses such as material properties, construction testing, data gathering and statistical quality control are included in the curriculum. Additionally, the program enlists the help of industry to provide jobs during summers and part-time work during the school year. This practical training enables students to experience real world applications of their coursework. Industry supervisors mentor students and train them to be employees of value as civil engineering technicians. Scholarships are also offered to selected candidates in order to allow them to take full course loads. This rigorous practical education coupled with concurrent on-the-job training prepares a technician workforce capable of meeting the demands of the field.