Consulting-Specifying Engineer - November 2007 - (Page 9)

In The News NEWS AND TRENDS ACEC survey: Employee referral No. 1 Briefly… • “The 21st-Century Engineer: A Proposal for Engineering Education Reform,” by Patricia D. Galloway, PE, argues that engineers today are often seen simply as advisors and technicians. The author also argues that this situation must change—and that the means to do so are in the hands of engineers themselves. For ordering information, go to www .pubs.asce.org. The “U.S. Construction Outlook 2008-2009” from Reed Construction Data provides an overview of the U.S. economy, including employment, interest rates, gross domestic product, foreign trade, and construction starts. In addition, the report provides historical data and key forecasts with respect to all categories of construction. For more information, go to www .reedconstructiondata.com Bentley Systems, Exton, Pa., announced its trial program for generative design in architecture and engineering. The program, which opens Nov. 16, will include a no-charge 90-day subscription to GenerativeComponents—Bentley’s generative design software—and a Web 2.0 community forum for users. FOR MORE NEWS STORIES • Employee referral is the most frequently structure funding; delivery systems—popuused method to fill important employee openlarity of design-build and other alternative ings at American Council of Engineering Comsystems; design software—popularity of Buildpany (ACEC) member firms, according to results ing Information Modeling; perceived lack of from the “2007-2008 ACEC Design qualified engineers; commoditi& Construction Industry Trends zation of engineering; and costs Referrals are the Survey,” an ACEC, Washington, of healthcare—concerns over primary engineering D.C., survey reported. increasing costs. recruitment tool. According to survey results, The nationwide survey of nearly one-third of member firms ACEC member firms features (31%) said referral was the most effective source critical demographic, financial, and strategic to recruit new employees, followed by Internet industry data, all categorized by firm size, advertisements (20%), college and university region, market sector, and discipline. Summarecruitment (19%), newspaper advertisements ries of vital economic, social, and political driv(17%), and executive search firms (13%). ers for various industry markets are included Some of the other trends that are tracked as well. by the “2007-2008 Design & Construction Survey results present a wide range of busiIndustry Trends Survey” include: standard of ness trends and industry forecasts. For more care/client expectations of perfection; infrainformation, go to www.acec.org. Green and growing After posting an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23% through 2006, the market for green, or environmentally friendly, building materials is expected to continue growing from almost $2.2 billion in 2006 to $4.7 billion in 2011, although at a slightly slower rate of 17%, according to Green Building Materials in the U.S., a new report from SBI, Rockville, Md. Although the public sector and commercial projects have dominated green construction, residential green construction will undoubtedly see a boom. Residential projects have different materials profiles and imply different opportunities than those in the commercial sector, particularly in their extensive use of wood. SBI said that green flooring, the slowest growing segment through 2006, will become the market’s fastest grower through 2011, earning a CAGR of 45%. Events Dec. 2007 - Jan. 2008 • 12/11 - 12/13 Power-Gen International New Orleans pgi07.events.pennnet.com • • 01/20 - 01/23 ASHRAE Winter Meeting New York www.ashrae.org • 01/22 - 01/24 AHR Expo New York www.ahrexpo.com For a complete listing of events go to www.csemag.com and click Events. GO TO: CSEMAG.COM Consulting-Specifying Engineer • NOVEMBER 2007 9 http://www.pubs.asce.org http://www.pubs.asce.org http://www.acec.org http://www.reedconstructiondata.com http://www.reedconstructiondata.com http://pgi07.events.pennnet.com http://www.ashrae.org http://www.ahrexpo.com http://www.csemag.com http://www.csemag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Consulting-Specifying Engineer - November 2007

Consulting-Specifying Engineer Contents Editor's Viewpoint Letters In The News M/E Roundtable Emergency Power for Healthcare 2007 Products of the Year Industrial-strength Lighting Hazardous HVAC Codes and Standards Management Report Jobs/Classifieds Specifier's Notebook On-Peak Performance Contents Best Battery Selector in Engine Starting Applications NEC 708: Practical Impact on Backup Power Systems Protecting Power: Specifying Outdoor Generator Enclosures Investing in Backup Power Systems Coes, Consultants, Manufacturers, and Standby Power Systems

Consulting-Specifying Engineer - November 2007

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