Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Workforce Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mississippi DOT revives Engineers‑in‑Training rotation; 42 participants complete six‑month program
Summary
The Mississippi Department of Transportation reintroduced a six‑month Engineers‑in‑Training rotation program to broaden new engineers' exposure to MDOT divisions. Chief Engineer Earl and coordinator Penny Hillman introduced 42 participants to the Mississippi Transportation Commission.
The Mississippi Department of Transportation formally reintroduced an Engineers‑in‑Training (EIT) rotation program, presenting 42 participants to the Mississippi Transportation Commission during its July meeting.
The program, described by Chief Engineer Earl as a return to a format used in the 1990s, gives early‑career engineers temporary assignments across MDOT divisions and districts so they can “understand the whole picture of what MDOT does,” Earl said. Coordinator Penny Hillman introduced the participants by district and division; the commission was told the year’s cohort numbered 42.
Commissioners and staff said the program promotes employee development and interdepartmental relationships that MDOT managers consider important for long‑term retention and job performance. Commissioner Busby praised the initiative as “so much more valuable” to the agency’s workforce development, and Earl said the rotations help engineers build the internal contacts they will need later in their careers.
MDOT listed participants from District 1 through District 7 and several divisions, including bridge, roadway design and environmental; staff read the roster aloud at the meeting. MDOT also credited human resources efforts that raised pay in recent years and thanked several staff members—Brad, Lisa and Terrence—for supporting program reinstatement.
The commission did not take a separate vote specific to the EIT presentations; the program was presented as part of routine staff reports. No budgetary figures for the program were provided during the presentation.
Going forward, MDOT staff said the rotation is intended to give full‑time engineers opportunities to work temporarily in other units so they can better evaluate career paths and build networks across the department.
