The Importance of Professional Development for Engineers: Lifelong Learning and Licensing

In the rapidly evolving engineering world, staying current is not just a matter of professional pride; it’s a necessity. As technology advances and new methodologies emerge, engineers must continuously update their skills and knowledge to remain effective and competitive in their field. Professional development, encompassing required licensing and continuing education, is crucial for engineers across all disciplines. In this blog post, we’ll explore the significance of professional development for engineers, emphasizing the need for ongoing education and the maintenance of professional licenses.

The Ever-Evolving Engineering Landscape

Engineering is a dynamic and diverse field, encompassing numerous specialties such as civil, mechanical, electrical, software, and biomedical engineering. Each of these areas experiences rapid advancements driven by technological innovation, regulatory changes, and evolving industry standards. As a result, engineers must stay abreast of the latest developments to ensure they can design, build, and maintain safe, efficient, and cutting-edge systems and structures.

The Role of Professional Development

Professional development encompasses various activities to enhance an engineer’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. These activities include formal education, attending workshops and conferences, participating in professional organizations, and obtaining certifications. The primary components of professional development for engineers are continuing education and the maintenance of professional licensure.

Continuing Education: Lifelong Learning

Continuing education is essential for engineers who wish to remain relevant in their field. It involves taking courses, attending seminars, and engaging in other learning opportunities that help engineers stay updated with the latest industry trends, technologies, and best practices. Here are a few reasons why continuing education is crucial for engineers:

Staying Current with Technological Advancements:

  1. The pace of technological change in engineering is relentless. New materials, software tools, and engineering methods are constantly being developed. Continuing education allows engineers to stay informed about and apply these innovations in their work.

Enhancing Skills and Competencies:

  1. Engineers often need to acquire new skills or deepen their expertise in specific areas. Continuing education allows them to learn about advanced topics, such as sustainable design, cybersecurity, or data analytics, which can enhance their capabilities and career prospects.

Maintaining Professional Competence:

  1. Many engineering disciplines require a high level of technical knowledge and precision. Continuing education helps engineers maintain their professional competence, ensuring they can deliver high-quality work and uphold public safety standards.

Licensing: Ensuring Quality and Accountability

Professional licensure is a critical aspect of the engineering profession. Licensed Professional Engineers (PEs) are recognized as having met rigorous education, experience, and ethics standards. Obtaining and maintaining a PE license demonstrates an engineer’s commitment to their profession and protecting public health, safety, and welfare. Here are key reasons why licensing is important:

Demonstrating Professional Competence:

  1. Achieving PE licensure signifies that an engineer has met stringent educational and experiential requirements and has passed comprehensive examinations. It assures clients, employers, and the public that engineers possess the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their duties effectively.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance:

  1. In many jurisdictions, a licensed PE must oversee or approve specific engineering projects. Licensing ensures that engineers adhere to legal and regulatory standards, reducing the risk of errors and enhancing public trust in engineering projects.

Ethical Responsibility:

  1. Licensed engineers are bound by a code of ethics that requires them to act with integrity, honesty, and impartiality. This ethical framework ensures that engineers prioritize the public good and uphold the highest standards of professional conduct.

The Synergy Between Continuing Education and Licensing

Continuing education and professional licensure are intertwined components of an engineer’s professional development. Many licensing boards require engineers to earn continuing education credits to renew their licenses. This requirement ensures licensed engineers remain current with industry developments and maintain technical proficiency.

For example, in New Jersey, the State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors mandates that licensed engineers earn a specified number of Professional Development Hours (PDHs) biennially, with a portion dedicated to ethics training. This requirement underscores the importance of lifelong learning and ethical practice in engineering.

Embracing Professional Development

Professional development is not a one-time event but a lifelong commitment for engineers. By engaging in continuing education and maintaining professional licensure, engineers can stay at the forefront of their field, enhance their skills, and uphold the highest standards of quality and accountability. As the engineering landscape continues to evolve, the importance of professional development will only grow, ensuring that engineers are well-equipped to tackle the challenges of the future and contribute to the betterment of society.

Whether you’re a seasoned engineer or just starting your career, embracing professional development is key to achieving success and making a lasting impact in your field. Stay curious, stay committed, and keep learning—your future as an engineer depends on it. Check out the continued learning courses we have available here!

Ethical Requirements in Professional Engineering

Engineering is a field of immense responsibility. As professional engineers, we possess the ability to mold the world around us through our designs and innovations. Alongside this power comes a crucial ethical duty: to ensure that our work serves the betterment of society and avoids causing harm, as outlined in the NJSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers. To imbue future engineers with this sense of ethical responsibility, engineering schools and programs globally have integrated ethics into their curriculum. In this blog post, we will explore how engineering education incorporates ethical standards to equip the engineers of tomorrow with the necessary ethical framework.

The Importance of Ethical Engineering

Ethics is not just an abstract concept in engineering; it’s a fundamental pillar that underpins the profession’s integrity and impacts the lives of millions. Engineers wield significant influence, shaping the infrastructure, technologies, and systems that define our world. Without ethical considerations guiding their decisions, engineering endeavors can have devastating consequences, jeopardizing public safety, environmental sustainability, and societal welfare.

Engineering decisions reverberate far beyond technical specifications and blueprints. They directly impact the safety and well-being of individuals, communities, and the environment. From the design and construction of bridges to the development of transportation systems, engineers hold a profound responsibility to prioritize ethics in every aspect of their work.

Integrating Ethics into Engineering Curriculum

In response to the increasing recognition of the importance of ethical considerations in engineering, many engineering programs have incorporated dedicated courses in engineering ethics into their curriculum. These courses delve into critical topics such as ethical decision-making, professional responsibility, and real-world case studies of ethical dilemmas encountered in engineering practice. By providing students with a comprehensive understanding of ethical principles, these classes lay a solid foundation for ethical decision-making throughout their careers.

However, the commitment to ethics does not end with formal education. In New Jersey, professional engineers are required to engage in continuing education to maintain their licensure. As part of this requirement, engineers must earn 24 Professional Development Hours (PDH) biennially. Significantly, two of these credit hours must be dedicated specifically to the study of ethics.

NJSPE is currently offering an ethics course that is available to members and non members:

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING ETHICS 101 (2 PDH) The learning objective is to expose the seminar participants to various engineering related professional and statutory codes of ethics to indoctrinate ethics awareness and an understanding of ethical standards common to all jurisdictions, including those of the participants, so that the participants understand the boundaries of ethical engineering behavior. The program is broken into several parts. Introduction to common statutory and regulatory ethics rules; review of the National Society of Professional Engineers Code of Ethics with examples of common ethics rules, illustrative case studies to consider, with emphasis on the similarities and difference between governmental and professional society sanctions; practical reasons for ethical practice, how unethical practice can present professional liability, legal, licensure, moral and public health, safety and welfare issues.

**Deadline is April 30th! 

The significance of ethics in engineering cannot be emphasized enough, and dedicated courses are essential for its practical integration into daily practice, despite the apparent simplicity of ethical codes. These professional development courses serve as invaluable resources, guiding engineers through real-life cases thoroughly examined by the Board of Ethical Review. They provide valuable insights into the nuances of ethical codes and demonstrate how they can be effectively applied to enhance decision-making processes.

In summary, the realm of professional engineering carries profound responsibilities, where our innovations wield the power to shape our world. With this privilege, engineers hold an ethical obligation, as outlined in the NJSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers, to ensure that our work contributes to the betterment of society while avoiding harm. The significance of ethical engineering cannot be overstated, as the decisions we make have tangible impacts on public safety, environmental health, and societal advancement.

By integrating ethics into engineering education through dedicated courses and ongoing professional development, we establish a strong foundation for future engineers to navigate the complexities of ethical decision-making. These educational initiatives empower engineers to grasp the nuances of ethical principles, recognize their practical relevance in daily professional practice, and derive insights from real-world ethical dilemmas.

As we progress, our commitment to ethical engineering not only upholds the integrity of our profession but also fosters a world that is safer, more equitable, and morally steadfast. Through conscientious adherence to ethical standards, engineers contribute to building a society founded on principles of integrity, responsibility, and ethical conduct.

Do you have a concept for an ethics course that you believe should be offered by NJSPE.org? Reach out today at info@njspe.org or call 609-393-0099 to share your ideas!

New Continuing Education Webinar Friday, April 28, 2023

NJSPE CONTINUING EDUCATION WEBINAR

Offering 3 PDH’s credits for PE’s in NJ, NY and other states

that accept NJSPE accredited programs.

Friday, April 28, 2023

9AM – 12PM

New Low Price for Members Only: $59

The New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers Continuing Education Webinar series
brings the top professionals and hot topics in our field right to your desktop.

Modular Bridges (1 PDH)

Speaker: Bob Rose
Northeast Sales Manager, Acrow Bridge
Explore the history and designing of modular bridging with top bridging expert Bob Rose. Learn about the various features, benefits, basic components, and truss configurations of modular bridging. The presentation will also include applications and installation methods. Mr. Rose will also share details on specific New Jersey projects.
Bob Rose is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, with a business and marketing degree. He has worked in the Bridge and Highway industry for the over 35 years, first with Ashland Chemical coating division, then as the National Sales Manager for the D S Brown Co. D S Brown is the leading designer and manufacture of expansion joints and bearings in the US. In 2016, he joined Acrow Bridge as the Northeast Sales Manager covering New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Acrow Bridge is a full-service design and engineering firm that specializes in prefabricated modular steel bridging solutions for permanent installations, temporary installation, construction access and emergency use.

The Replacement of the Kosciuszko Bridge – Phase 2 (1 PDH)

Speaker: Kwok L. Tam, P.E.
Vice President, Whitestone Associates
Listen to Kwok L. Tam, P.E., Vice President, National Bridges & Structures Practice at WSP USA, talk about the new Kosciuszko Bridge that replaces a 1.1-mile segment of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway over Newtown Creek with two parallel, modern, and innovative structures each with a single-tower cable-stayed main span. The signature structures carry an estimated 180,000 vehicles per day and provide a gateway between Brooklyn and Queens and reshape the skyline of these two New York City boroughs. State of the art methods were employed to help reduce future maintenance requirements and to provide for a 100-year service life of the bridge. The methodology used to also protect against chloride infiltration and premature deterioration will be discussed, as well as the design practices used to protect against future concrete spalling and cracking.
Mr. Tam is the Vice President at WSP. He has over 30 years of experience in providing structural engineering, seismic analysis, design, and inspection services for major bridges and highway structures. His project experience includes project management/coordination and engineering design of numerous structures throughout the New York metropolitan area, as well as in Asia. He is deeply involved in all aspects of bridge design, including the development of design plans, writing of special specifications, developing engineer’s cost estimates, and the construction phase. He specializes in long-span bridges of all types, particularly cable-stayed bridges.

Special Inspections/Third Party Inspections (1 PDH)

Speaker: Laurence W. Keller, P.E.
Vice President, Whitestone Associates, Inc,
Special inspections were developed and codified to minimize improper construction and ensure that the design-professional-in-responsible-charge remains engaged in the construction process to reduce project defects and failures. As such, one of the major functions of design professionals occurs after the design plans are approved and a building permit is issued through the special inspection program. Join us for a presentation by Laurence W. Keller, P.E. from Whitestone Associates, Inc. on special inspection code requirements and responsibilities.
Laurence W. Keller is a licensed professional engineer and Vice President at Whitestone Associates, Inc, which is a New Jersey-based materials testing, geotechnical engineering, and environmental firm, providing consulting services for more than 25 years. Mr. Keller routinely provides construction materials testing, special inspections, and geotechnical engineering services throughout the Eastern U.S. and is responsible for performance and management of Whitestone’s special inspection services.

REGISTER NOW

NJSPE is a New York State Education Department Approved Sponsor of Continuing Education for Professional Engineers. The live Continuing Education webinar is eligible for 3 PDH credit for NYS.

What Does the Future Hold for the Engineering Profession?

The engineering profession is an ever-evolving one, and the future holds exciting possibilities. As technology continues to advance, the role of engineers will become increasingly important in solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges. We can expect to see engineers developing new and innovative solutions to problems ranging from climate change and renewable energy sources to health care and transportation. In addition, advances in artificial intelligence and robotics will create unprecedented opportunities for engineers to expand their design capabilities and create more efficient systems. As the world moves towards a more automated and interconnected future, engineers will become even more vital in creating the infrastructure and technology necessary to make it a reality. Ultimately, the future of engineering looks bright and full of potential.

Year after year, engineering is a highly recommended career path for young students. The engineering profession provides security and it’s evolving nature keeps the work interesting. As we progress forward, we start to see trends in the profession and different concentrations of engineering demanding more than others. Let’s take a look at the future of engineering by concentration: 

Software engineering 

Software developers have the knowledge and skills to create things that run our everyday items like computers, tablets, and cellphones. As technology grows, so does this concentration of engineering. Software engineers are always adapting to new trends in technology and breaking the mold by producing new standards. As if the median income ($103,560) isn’t enticing enough, the projected employment change is +24 percent. 

Solar photovoltaic installers

The future is solar. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, solar photovoltaic installing is the fastest-growing occupation. These installers assemble, install, and maintain private and commercial solar panel setups to provide renewable energy. As more and more countries are under pressure to carbon emissions, more governments are finding the answer in solar panels. The projected employment change for this concentration is +105 percent. 

Biomedical engineering

Biomedical engineers create new equipment, systems, and software that is used to help advance the medical industry. Modern medicine is constantly striving to improve, so there’s no shortage of jobs for biomedical engineers. Not to mention, generations continue to live longer, more active lives. New advances in biomedical engineering will be needed to keep up with the demand for new devices and operations technology. The projected employment change in this concentration is +7 percent.

Civil engineering

Civil engineering is a necessary part of our everyday lives. From the roads we drive on to the tunnels we go through, civil engineering is everywhere. The population only continues to grow, which means our infrastructure environment must adapt to the change. New structures must be built and also old structures are constantly being repaired or replaced. Projects like new housing, transportation, and more keep civil engineers constantly busy and employed. The projected employment change for this industry is +11 percent.

These few examples of future growth in the engineering profession are just the tip of the iceberg. When choosing engineering as a career path, it’s hard to go wrong. The industry is constantly changing and growing. Luckily, engineers that are NJSPE members have the resources at their fingertips to continue education and stay ahead of the curve within the industry. 

NJSPE offers a variety of memberships for licensed engineers, enterprises, students, and engineers-in-training. Learn more about NJSPE and find a membership that fits your needs here.

New Continuing Education Opportunity: DECEMBER WEBINAR

Offering 3 PDH’s credits for PE’s in NJ, NY and other states that accept NJSPE accredited programs.

Friday, December 9, 2022
9AM – 12PM

New Low Price for Members Only: $59
Non-Member Pricing: $149*

The New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers Continuing Education Webinar series brings the top professionals and hot topics in our field right to your desktop.

Pedestrian Access Considerations at Transit Stations (1 PDH)
Speaker: John A. Nawn, P.E., PTOE, F. NSPE
Civil Environmental Engineer, Delon Hampton Associates

Retaining Walls 101 (1 PDH)
Speaker: Laurence W. Keller, PE
Vice President, Whitestone Associates

A River of Practice with Green Infrastructure (1 PDH)
Speaker: Jeromie Lange, P.E., PP, CME, CFM
Director of Development, Active Acquisitions

*New NJSPE Member Offer – If you become a member of NJSPE today, you will receive this Continuing Education Webinar on December 9th for free – a $149 value. Membership is $299 and covers membership in the National Society, integrated state society, and local chapter for one full year. Click here to become a member.

Click Here to Register!

NJSPE is a New York State Education Department Approved Sponsor of Continuing Education for Engineers. Only live Continuing Education sessions are eligible for NYS credit.

New Continuing Education Opportunity!

Mark your calendars! NJSPE is hosting a Continuing Education Webinar on September 23rd, 9am-12pm! This webinar offers 3 CPC credits for NJ Professional Engineers and PE’s in other states that accept NJSPE accredited programs. Gain valuable insight into the industry from our featured speakers, all the while fulfilling your CE requirements! Register now! 

PFAS and Public Water Systems (1 CPC)

This session discussing PFAS and public water systems will be led by James Peeples, fellow PE and Vice President of T&M Associates.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are widely used in products such as firefighting foams, waterproof clothes, and nonstick cookware. Called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down under typical environmental conditions, PFAS accumulate in soil and water and can persist in the human body once ingested. 

This session will include:

  • A short background on PFAS, and the reason they are so widespread in the environment
  • A discussion of the current state of PFAS regulation at the Federal and State level
  • Recent developments regarding PFAS breakdown and their impact on future PFAS work
  • PFAS treatment case studies for public water systems

Complementary Use of Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) and other Technologies for Accurate Assessment of Current, and Prediction of Future Performance of Concrete Bridge Decks (1 CPC)

This session will be led by Nenad Gucunski, Professor and Chairman of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rutgers University

Effective and economical management of bridges depend on the accurate assessment of their current condition and prediction of their future performance. Among all the bridge components, reinforced concrete decks, in most cases, deteriorate the fastest. The complexity of deterioration processes requires the application of multiple nondestructive evaluation (NDE) and other technologies to accurately describe the condition, and likely causes of deterioration. 

In this session, you’ll listen to an overview of the benefits stemming from periodical multi-NDE technology surveys for bridge management, especially from the use of rapid and automated data collection and analysis processes.

Virtual Design and Construction Methodologies (1 CPC)

This session will be led by Aditi Patel, fellow PE and Vice President of LiRo’s Virtual Design Construction & Operations Department.

Explore the use of Virtual Design and Construction methodologies in all phases of a project life cycle. Emerging technologies such as Reality Capture combined with Building Information Modeling could be successfully implemented in Design, Pre-Construction, Construction and Maintenance of facilities more efficiently, to reduce costs and increase accuracy of the information driving critical project decisions. 

This presentation will discuss:

  • The use of cutting-edge technology to help inform the design process
  • Getting stakeholder buy-in
  • Solving critical coordination challenges early on to prevent expensive errors later
  • Enhanced project controls
  • Closeout and handover workflows.

NJSPE members and government employees are offered discounted rates for this opportunity. Learn more about the webinar here and get registered today! 

More on Continuing Education 

The State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors have outlined requirements for continuing education for license renewal for PE’s. For your convenience, NJSPE offers educational resources that include in-person, electronic, and in-office courses. NJSPE is committed to providing courses in and around the tri-state area that will cater to those with multiple licenses and differing state requirements. View our full course catalog here

We want to hear from you!

NJSPE is looking for suggestions for educational opportunities to add to our catalog. If you are interested in partnering with NJSPE for an educational session, please contact the NJSPE office and ask for Joanne Lombardi.

NJSPE prides itself on promoting, serving, and representing New Jersey’s engineering professionals for the public’s benefit. Stay connected year-round as a member of NSPE – join today!

New EJCDC® Contract Documents

NJSPE is proud to offer membership discounts on continuing education, industry publications, and other products. A great example is the EJCDC® Contract Documents. The Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee (EJCDC®) released the new EJCDC® 2022 Construction Manager as Advisor Series. These documents are available to NSPE members for 50% off

EJCDC® 2022 Construction Manager as Advisor Series

This series is completely new to EJCDC, and is intended for projects in which the Owner’s primary representative during construction will be the Construction Manager as Advisor (CM). 

As such, the CM as Advisor Series is an alternative to the use of the EJCDC Construction Series, in which the Engineer that prepared the design subsequently serves as the Owner’s construction contract administrator. The CM as Advisor Series is composed of:

  • Contract documents
  • Administrative forms
  • Bonds documents
  • Bidding documents
  • Procurement documents

EJCDC® Contract Documents

The Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee® (EJCDC®) develops and updates fair and objective standard documents that represent the latest thinking in contractual relations between all parties involved in engineering design and construction projects. 

The committee is made up of the National Society of Professional Engineers, the American Council of Engineering Companies, and the American Society of Civil Engineers. It also involves the participation of more than 15 other professional engineering design, construction, owner, legal, and risk management organizations.

With the 2022 release of the Construction Manager as Advisor Series, the EJCDC now offers nine different categories of Contract Documents for the engineering industry. These categories are as follows: 

This list, as well as all up to date license agreements and other policies, can also be found here on the NSPE website.

EJCDC® Education Webinars

NJSPE requires that its members obtain Professional Development Hours (PDHs) by completing continuing education courses. New Jersey professional engineers need 24 hours of continuing education over a two-year period in order to maintain and renew their license. 

The EJCDC is currently offering two continuing education courses for the convenience of industry professionals: 

See other EJCDC resources and benefits available to NSPE members here! Each contract document is prepared by experienced engineering design and construction professionals, owners, contractors, professional liability and risk management experts, and legal counsel.

NJSPE prides itself on promoting, serving, and representing New Jersey’s engineering professionals for the public’s benefit. Stay connected year-round as a member of NSPE – join today!

The information for this blog was found on the NSPE website.

Continuing Education Webinar Opportunities

The New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers is currently offering several education opportunities PEs in and around the tristate area, catering to the different state requirements and licenses. Here are just a few of our current opportunities, complying with requirements for continuing education for license renewal for professional engineers, as outlined by The State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. For a full list of ALL current continuing education opportunities, click here.

Professional Ethics 101 (2 PDH)
This course exposes the seminar participants to various engineering related professional and statutory codes of ethics to indoctrinate ethics awareness and an understanding of ethical standards common to all jurisdictions, including those of the participants, so that the participants understand the boundaries of ethical engineering behavior. Over several sections, PE’s will be introduced to the following:

  • Common statutory and regulatory ethics rules
  • National Society of Professional Engineers Code of Ethics
  • Illustrative case studies to consider, with emphasis on the similarities and difference between governmental and professional society sanctions
  • The practicality of ethics
  • How unethical practice presents issues in professional liability, legal, licensure, moral and public health, safety and welfare issues.

How the Towers Fell, Lessons Learned from the 1993 and 9/11 Attacks (3 PDH)

This course examines the damage to lower Manhattan and the severe economic impact that the tragic event had on the community. It will build upon the information presented on the 1993 Bombing and the 9/11 attacks, and recommended improvements in building codes. Some discussion to expect:
How and why the WTC Complex and PATH Station were first constructed
The existing “New Jersey Tubes” the WTC Complex and PATH Station replaced
The details of the 1993 WTC bombing damage, including investigations and recovery

  • Lessons learned on improving security and emergency response at the WTC complex that was a factor during the 9/11 attack.
  • How the Twin Towers and Seven WTC collapsed, with an in-depth description of the site damage.
  • Temporary shoring, flood protection, and site cleanup from the 9/11 attacks followed by the construction of the Temporary PATH Station,
  • Reconstruction to the PATH tunnels and Exchange Place Station in NJ. It will cover recommended improvements in building codes.

Drones in Engineering (1PDH)

This course will review the ways drones are being used in the construction industry, mainly in the engineering and surveying fields. This course will show examples of how drones are being utilized in various different situations to assist Engineers. You will learn:

  • The safety benefits of using drones in compromising health situations
  • The legal requirements for use of droneApplications and benefits of drones for specific Engineers needs
  • What the future can hold for drone technology in the engineering field

Traffic Control Devices and Traffic Engineering Studies Overview (1PDH)

This course will provide a general overview of the use and application of regulatory and warning signs, pavement marking, and traffic signals. In addition, the course will include:

  • A discussion of common traffic engineering studies used to establish speed limits and determine parameters for traffic control devices and roadway geometric features.
  • An overview of roundabouts, including design features, their application and advantages of using roundabouts over other
  • conventional intersection treatments.
  • Hands-on exercises to reinforce concepts

We want to hear from you!

NJSPE is looking for suggestions for educational opportunities to add to our catalogue. If you are interested in partnering with NJSPE for an educational session, please contact the NJSPE office and ask for Joanne Lombardi.
NJSPE prides itself on promoting, serving, and representing New Jersey’s engineering professionals for the public’s benefit. Stay connected year-round as a member of NSPE – join today!

NJSPE CONTINUING EDUCATION WEBINAR

NJSPE is hosting a virtual continuing education webinar on  Friday, February 18, 2022 via Zoom.

This webinar is offering 4 CPC credits forNJ Professional Engineers and PE’s in other states that accept NJSPE accredited programs.

NJSPE is a New York State Education Department Approved Sponsors of Continuing Education for Engineers and Land Surveyors. 1 CPC credit equals 1 PDH credit for NYS

It is $69 for members and $138 for non-members. You can register now here!

The webinar will cover the following topics:

First UHPC Bridge Deck Overlay on a Major Suspension Bridge in the United States
Speakers: Michael McDonagh, P.E., P.Eng. and Jordy Padilla, P.E.
1 Credit Hour

In 2018, the Delaware River and Bay Authority determined that the deck of the first structure was near the end of its service life. Through a 50-year lifecycle cost analysis, a partial-depth deck replacement overlay utilizing Ultra High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) was identified as the preferred alternative to deck replacement and conventional overlays. The pilot project replaced the top 3.75 inches of the deck with UHPC on approximately 25,000 square feet of deck, incorporating overlays on the main suspension bridge, deck truss and steel girder approach structures. The completion of this project set new milestones in the U.S. as the largest use and continuous pour of UHPC overlay

Speaker: Michael McDonagh, P.E., P.Eng

Michael McDonagh is Vice President, Engineering & Projects, of Steelike, Inc. Prior to joining Steelike in early 2021, Michael worked for over 24 years as a bridge design engineer. He is an expert on UHPC, a revolutionary construction material that can dramatically improve the service life of structures and lead to more optimized structures, having started working with it in 2008. He has been assisting the Federal Highway Administration since 2016 to promote UHPC, help write design guidance, and review FHWA-created design guidance. He is also a member of the organizing committee of the International Interactive Symposium on UHPC. Michael’s bridge design experience includes bridges located in Canada, France, the United Arab Emirates, and across the U.S., with a wide variety of bridges including multiple signature footbridges. Michael received his BS and MS in Civil Engineering from Penn State University.

 

Speaker: Jordy Padilla, P.E.

Jordy Padilla is a structural engineer with WSP, experienced in bridge design, rehabilitation, and construction. Jordy has been involved in several structures utilizing UHPC for bridge preservation as well as the development of new structures. He has assisted the Federal Highway Administration since 2020 to promote UHPC, support with technical guidelines, and most recently, with presenting to several state agencies on UHPC bridge preservation strategies. Jordy has been part of the ASCE Central Jersey branch for the past 5 years serving in a variety of positions, including most recently as the president of the branch. Jordy is also a Board member of the Professional Engineers Society of Mercer County (PESMC) and former Board Chair of the Connecticut Students for a Dream. He is a graduate of the University of New Haven (BS) and Rutgers University (MS).

 

 

An Introduction to Physical Asset Management
Speaker: Justin Furch, Technology Practice Leader
1 Credit Hour

Speaker: Justin Furch

Physical asset management, which differs from financial or software asset management, is an important and often complicated topic to most organizations. Focusing on increased efficiency and transparency, a well-defined asset management system will provide an organization with their current condition and valuation to support these needs, as well as provide a foundation for budget planning and goal setting. Asset management is one of the first steps in developing risk assessments and resiliency. It can be incorporated into every part of an organizations’ operations and will provide immediate value when fully adopted. This presentation will cover the basic components of asset management, what it provides, why it is so important, and how to get started.

Justin Furch is the Technology Practice Leader for T&M and has more than 20 years of extensive experience with asset management, data analysis, software engineering, database development and administration, and system engineering. He has built and led teams that have managed multi-million-dollar technology projects for federal, state, and local agencies. He has worked with agencies such as the New Jersey Department of Transportation, the NY&NJ Port Authority, Pennsylvania Turnpike, and others on populating and managing asset management systems. Justin also has extensive experience working with Geographical Information System (GIS) software, transportation data modeling, and design and development of custom software solutions. These include transportation asset management systems, project tracking and management systems, field inspection and inventory, and analysis/reporting systems.

 

 

Professional Engineering Ethics 101
Speaker: Lawrence P. Powers, Co-Chair – Construction Law Department
Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst & Doukas, LLP
2 Credit Hours

Speaker: Lawrence P. Powers

The learning objective is to expose the seminar participants to various engineering related professional and statutory codes of ethics to indoctrinate ethics awareness and an understanding of ethical standards common to all jurisdictions, including those of the participants, so that the participants understand the boundaries of ethical engineering behavior. The program is broken into several parts. Introduction to common statutory and regulatory ethics rules; review of the National Society of Professional Engineers Code of Ethics with examples of common ethics rules, illustrative case studies to consider, with emphasis on the similarities and difference between governmental and professional society sanctions; practical reasons for ethical practice, how unethical practice can present professional liability, legal, licensure, moral and public health, safety and welfare issues.

Lawrence P. Powers, is Partner and co-chair of the Construction Litigation Department at Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst & Doukas, LLP. Larry’s practice is focused on handling complex, multi-party construction related professional liability claims. He has tried numerous complex construction cases to a jury verdict. Admitted in 1984, he has over 35 years of experience in litigating, arbitrating and mediating construction disputes, regularly handling difficult loss prevention and risk management assignments for all of the major professional liability insurers. Larry serves as general counsel to AIA-New Jersey, the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers and ASLA-New Jersey. He regularly represents design professionals in disciplinary matters before the New Jersey State Board of Architects and Landscape Architects and the New Jersey State Board of Engineers and Land Surveyors. Mr. Powers has achieved a peer review rating of “AV”, the highest mark given by other members of the legal profession. He is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts of New Jersey. He was named “Lawyer of the Year 2012” in the Construction Litigation category by Best Lawyers® for the Woodbridge, NJ Metropolitan area in 2012 and 2018 as well as Construction Law category in 2017.

 

REGISTRATION INCLUDES:

Zoom Webinar with moderator. Participants will be sent the webinar link several days before so they can log on and be sure they are compatible.
NSPE members from States other than NJ may take
the member rate. Membership will be verified.
NOTE: Contributions and payments to 501(c)(6) organizations are not deductible as charitable contributions on federal income tax returns although they may be deductible as trade or business expenses. Substitutions are permitted if you are unable to attend. Registrant must email to: cgoldstein@njpsi.com 48 hours prior to the event with the name, address, phone and email of the person taking your place.

NJSPE will accept cancellations with refund up to one week prior to the date of the program.
A cancellation fee of $25 will apply. Refunds cannot be issued after that time but registration substitutions are permitted

If you have any questions please reach out via email to cgoldstein@njpsi.com to by phone at 609-393-0099

You can register for the webinar here: Webinar Registration.

NJSPE New Continuing Education Course Available: How the Towers Fell, Lessons Learned from the 1993 and 9/11 Attacks

A new continuing education course is available at NJSPE.org

Course Title: How the Towers Fell, Lessons Learned from the 1993 and 9/11 Attacks
Speaker: Joseph M. Englot, PE.

Accreditation: 3 NJ PDH credits
Presentation to the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers
To understand “How the Towers Fell” we first need to examine how and why the WTC Complex and PATH Station were first constructed, the existing “New Jersey Tubes” they replaced, the details of the 1993 WTC bombing damage, the forensic Investigation by ATF & FBI, the recovery and repair effort, and the lessons learned on improving security and emergency response at the WTC complex that was a factor during the 9-11 attack. This will be followed by a description of evacuation of the WTC complex after the first plane hit the towers, and how the Twin Towers and Seven WTC collapsed with a first-hand in-depth description of the site damage.

We will examine the damage to lower Manhattan and the severe economic impact that the tragic event had on the community and will build upon the information presented on the 1993 Bombing and the 9/11 attacks. It will also cover temporary shoring, flood protection, and site cleanup from the 9- 11 attacks followed by the construction of the Temporary PATH Station, reconstruction, repairs to the PATH tunnels and Exchange Place Station in NJ. It will cover recommended improvements in building codes. It will foster discussion about whether a standard high-rise tower could have survived the 1993 Bombing and why the Twin Towers and 7 World Trade Center all remained stable for different time periods only to collapse later in a manner resembling controlled demolition.

You can register for your courses here!

Have an idea for a course?

NJSPE is looking for suggestions for educational opportunities to add to our catalogue. If you are interested in partnering with NJSPE for an educational session, please contact the NJSPE office and ask for Joanne Lombardi: jlombardi@njpsi.com

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