1. Consultant Inspection Prequalification & Workforce Development
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.

2. History of Consultant Inspector Prequalification
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
Gary and Merka Slides 2 - 6

3. History of Consultant Inspector Prequalification
January 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.
Gary and Merka

4. Consultant Prequalification Categories
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
Gary and Merka
Certification requirements vary depending on the type of Inspector (NICET, NACE, IMSA, etc.)
Tests/Courses
ODOT Flexible Pavement test
ODOT Traffic Work Zone test
ODOT Compaction(Nuclear Gauge) test
ODOT Advanced Structures test
ODOT Work Type 26 Structural Steel course
ODOT Work Type 57 Sealing of Concrete Surfaces course
Education
Associate Degree in Civil Engineering Technology, Construction Engineering Technology or Construction Management
Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or Engineering Technology from a program accredited by ABET or a Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Management accredited by ACCE

5. Workforce Challenges 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
Gary and Merka
ODOT Policy Directive: ensuring that projects under its jurisdiction are constructed in conformance with the approved plans and specifications, i.e. the Contract;
Engineers being tasked with inspection duties due to lack of inspection personnel

6. Future Outlook 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
Gary and Merka
Increasingly, businesses and policymakers are turning to community colleges to help fill these workforce gaps. Community colleges attract students from all backgrounds and educational levels with the main mission of providing open access and affordability to those seeking a post-secondary credential. Students can enroll at community colleges at any time during the year, and seldom is any student with a high school diploma turned away.  Students enroll at community colleges primarily to earn a credential, transfer to a four-year university or receive job training. The open access and affordability community colleges offer traditionally have appealed to student populations who have been characterized as low-income, first-generation, minority or working adults.

7. The ODOT – Columbus State Construction Inspection Workforce Program (CIWP)
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).
Randy Over Slides

8. Why Now? Why the CIWP? Shortage of Qualified & Experienced Inspectors
Increased Complexity of Inspection
Formal Industry Supported Programs
Large and Numerous Highway & Bridge Projects in Ohio
Randy Over
Shortage of Qualified & Experienced Inspectors - retiring Baby-Boomers, no real pipeline for new inspectors
Increased Complexity of inspection due to technology calls out for more formal education, industry standard certifications & formal internships
Formal industry supported programs that include formal education, certification & internships
lead to better careers, higher paying jobs, continuing opportunities – higher performing, more productive employees
Better use of taxpayers $$s
Large and numerous highway & bridge projects in Ohio (and surrounding states) due to aging 1960’s infrastructure - all coming due for replacement

9. Goals and Deliverables of the CIWP
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
Randy Over

10. Goals and Deliverables of the CIWP
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
Randy Over - This has been Completed…
Curriculum w/NICET Levels I & II Highway Inspection Content
Tentative Agreement w/NICET that CIWP Curriculum - 8 months of Education ”Credit” Towards NICET Level II Experience
Brochures, Weblink, Presentations to Existing Students - 15 CSCC students have shown interest
AASHTO Research Problem Statement:
Addressing Construction Inspector Qualifications for the Future: Best Practices for Education, Training and Certification
CIWP prominently featured at 2018 OTEC
Agreement Between ODOT & ACEC Ohio for Internships – Updated Consultant Prequal Document for Construction Project Inspector Interns
Industry Advisory Group formed and Kick Off Meeting held

11. In-Progress & Planned
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)
Randy Over

12. ODOT/CSCC CIWP Career Pathways Next Steps
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…
Randy Over
Educational Path Starting with CIWP
Leads to:
Associates of Applied Science in Civil Engineering Technology (AAS CET)
Associate of Applied Science in Surveying
Associate in Applied Science in Construction Management
AAS CET > Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

13. Future of CIWP
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
Randy Over
Columbus (Columbus State)
Cleveland (Cleveland State, Lorain Community College)
Cincinnati (Cincinnati State)
Akron-Canton (Stark State)
Dayton (Sinclair Community College)
Cleveland (Lakeland Community College)

14. ODOT CSCC CIWP Industry Advisory Group
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 City of Columbus – James Young
CTL Engineering - David Breitfeller Mannik Smith Group - Darren Schimmoeller
DLZ Engineering - Gary Bowen Franklin County Engineer's Office - Scott Roe
Beaver Excavating – Jack Ford
ODOT - Director Jack Marchbanks, Brad Jones, Myron Pakush, Brian Brown, Stefan Spinosa, Terry Bolden, Gary Angles, Matt Mauger, Merka Flynn
Randy Over
Intent is to create an statewide initiative using other educational entities. Challenge will be to find entities similar to CSCC that will need minimal massage with their curriculum.

15. Project Inspector Intern Program
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.
Aric Bennett Slides

16. What is a Project Inspector Intern?
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.
Aric Bennett
Effective 11/19/18
Posting Date
Project Inspector Intern
ODOT and ACEC have worked collaboratively in developing an Intern program for Project Inspectors to support the future need for appropriate numbers of educated, trained, and experienced construction inspection/administration staff. The use of Interns should be coordinated and recognized between the Consultant and ODOT prior to use.

17. Intern Level Prerequisites
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.
Aric Bennett

18. Intern Level Prerequisites
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.
Aric Bennett

19. Consultant Firm Responsibilities
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
Aric Bennett

20. Questions?

21. Project Structure Inspector Coatings Inspector
Prequalified Construction Inspectors
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 77 58
111 6
Does NOT include CE I or CE II
Project Structure Inspectors must be prequalified as PI or pass NICET Level III
This slide can be used if someone asks about specific numbers.