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Document: 2004-2243 Division: Emerging Trends in Engineering Education

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AT THE COUNTY LEVEL: SETTING HIGHER STANDARDS FOR ENGINEERING PRACTICE

Adnan Javed1, Gary Downing, P.E.2, Thai Tran, P.E.3, Dr. Fazil T. Najafi4 1 Boyle Engineering/University of Florida, 2, 3 Sarasota County Government, 4 University of Florida

ABSTRACT

One of the most important decisions a young engineer can make early in his/her engineering career is to place oneself on a professional course and become licensed as a professional engineer (P.E.). The profession regulates itself by setting high standards for professional engineers, and by law, many jurisdictions require engineers to be licensed in order to practice. These requirements and high standards help protect the public's safety and welfare. This paper will discuss the success of a professional engineering development program (PEDP) developed at the Sarasota County, Florida and subsequent steps it took to reach its current repute. It will evaluate how compared to PE programs at the state and federal level, PEDP at the Sarasota County is different, and what are some of the program benefits and challenges associated with it. This program began in 1995 and offers employment for civil engineers in all disciplines. It encompasses engineering positions in Sarasota County’s Public Works, Development Services and Environmental Services Business Centers. The purpose of Sarasota County Government PEDP is to provide the opportunity for the requirements to be satisfied for licensure as a Professional Engineer. This is accomplished through technical training, mentoring, career guidance and growth opportunities while providing support for the community through dedicated customer service, technical competency and personal integrity. It provides an individual the opportunity to rotate through various disciplines based on organization needs, individual preferences, backgrounds and specialized traits. The requirements for successful completion of the program are a combination of practical on the job activities, formal training and a time component. Initiation of such engineering development program at the County level shows great enthusiasm, and higher standards of motivation and work ethics to serve the community better. Licensure is the mark of a professional. It demonstrates accomplishment of the high standards of professionalism to which the engineering profession subscribes. The “Proceedings of the 2004 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright  2004, American Society for Engineering Education”

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Javed, A., & Najafi, F. (2004, June), Professional Engineer Development Program At The County Level: Setting Higher Standards For Engineering Practice Paper presented at 2004 Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah. 10.18260/1-2--13510