Engineering Inc. - November/December 2007 - (Page 4) NEWS & NotES Academies Aim to Inspire New Crop of Engineers ooking to stem a worsening engineer shortage, the National Academy Foundation (NAF), an organization of educators and business leaders that offers programs intended to prepare students for professional careers, recently announced plans for a nationwide network of learning academies designed to encourage more high school students to pursue jobs as engineers. Incubated inside local high schools, organizers say, the academies, taught by specially trained educators, will serve three primary goals: to L John Brooks Slaughter encourage more students to consider careers in engineering; to boost the participation of women and minorities in engineering fields; and to provide high school graduates with technical skills necessary to achieve success at the postsecondary level—and beyond. Buoyed by a $3 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the program, launched in conjunction with Project Lead the Way and the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME), will kick off in 2008 with the opening of 13 regional Academies of Engineering. NAF says it will expand the program, with the goal of founding 110 academies in schools nationwide by 2010. Jon Reinhard, NAF’s project director, estimates the academies will, at full strength, enroll as many as 50,000 students, each of whom must complete a series of project-based courses and a paid internship at a local engineering firm. Apart from offering internships to students, said Reinhard, engineering firms can participate by appointing staff to serve on advisory boards. Each academy will have its own board composed of 15 to 25 people, at least 80 percent of whom will represent the engineering community. Consulting + Engineering + Technology + Construction SYSKA HENNESSY GROUP, an international leader in consulting, engineering, technology and construction, has excellent job opportunities for talented engineering and construction professionals in various locations nationwide. Our clients include the world's leading private and public corporations, fast-growing and high-tech companies, educational institutions, real estate owners/developers, government agencies, as well as architects and design professionals. We specialize in Sustainable Design & High Performance Building Technology, and partner with our clients throughout a project’s conception, design, construction, and operation phases. SYSKA HENNESSY GROUP is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in our work force. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits. Search current career opportunities and submit your resume today! www.careers.syska.com 4 ENGINEERING INC. NovEmbER / dECEmbER 2007 NACME http://www.careers.syska.com http://www.careers.syska.com
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