Significant ongoing growth and construction in the area has created a need for more people trained in civil engineering technology, according to Peter Messier, Southwestern Community College surveying technology instructor. This fall SCC will offer a new associate’s degree program in civil engineering technology. Registration for fall semester is Aug. 16.

Civil Engineering Technology uses technical and management skills to help design, build and manage facilities for the habitation, health and movement of people in well- planned communities, according to Messier.

"Most folks acquaint the civil engineering field with residential and subdivision developments, commercial sites, industrial parks and shopping centers,” Messier said. “But civil engineering technicians are also needed in building health facilities, drinking water distribution systems, wastewater collection and treatment systems, storm water drainage systems and solid waste sites. Then, on top of that, add streets and highways, bridges, dams, railroads, airfields, and ports. So you can see why there is such a demand for trained people in this field.”

SCC currently has a popular surveying technology program and for years surveying was considered part of civil engineering, said Messier. “Although the two are closely allied, today everything has become so specialized; they are now two separate disciplines. However, the new program at SCC is structured so that with just five more courses, surveying technology students can double major in civil engineering technology.

"It certainly expands their career options,” he said.

Starting salaries for civil engineering technicians range from $28,000 to $42,000. Graduates will qualify for jobs with municipal and state government, with public and private engineering organizations, construction companies, materials testing firms for testing soils, concrete and asphalt, as field inspectors, surveyors, and assistant project managers.

"Southwestern is unique since we are the only community college in a six-county region offering this program,” Messier said.

The curriculum will provide the relevant theory of engineering needed by technicians and will include the communication and computational skills to support the various areas, such as materials testing, estimating, project management, hydraulics & hydrology, environmental technology and surveying. Additional course work will cover the operation of computers and application software including computer-aided drafting.

"Another of our strengths is in tailoring our courses to fit our students’ needs. For those who already work during the day, we will have evening and weekend courses. And for some courses we’re looking at offering a course all in one day per week - saves the student commuting time and expenses,” he said.

For more information contact Messier at 586-4091, ext. 402 or at 800-447-4091, ext. 402 or e-mail pmessier@southwesterncc.edu. Registration for fall semester is Aug. 16.

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