Accent image here Primary Image here Rhode Island Department of Transportation TRAC/RIDES Program Promoting Pathways for Transportation and Civil Engineering Careers in Rhode Island

The Program  TRAC & RIDES, AASHTO’s educational outreach programs are designed for use in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).  TRAC & RIDES Vision – To deliver educational outreach programs that connects students to the world of transportation while enhancing math, science and technology skills.  TRAC & RIDES Mission – To introduce students in grades K-12 to the working world of transportation, especially civil engineering and Inspire them to consider careers in those fields.

The Program TRAC-Mission-Vision-Values  “In addition to providing a tool for teachers to improve math and science instruction in middle and secondary schools, TRAC improves workforce diversity which helps to resolve one of the most pressing problems faced by the transportation industry today; a critical shortage of civil engineers”  Critical needs = shortage of female and minority engineers.

Program Implementation  RIDOT TRAC/RIDES Program is aligned with other department diversity based career training initiatives.  Construction Career Day, Engineering Career Day, Engineering Summer Program, OJT, Building Futures pre-apprenticeship training, RIDOT summer internship program.  RIDOT OJT Program diversity based 98% female and minority.

The Program  Building Futures- ARRA State Transportation Employment Program (STEP) -$350,000.  Provides Pre-Apprenticeship training in an effort to increase OJT participation of underutilized woman and minorities on RIDOT Projects.  Graduating seniors; not attending college who have successfully a TRAC module can be referred to Building Futures for assessment and entry into the next class.

Program Implementation  RIDOT is currently entering into the second year of its TRAC/RIDES initiative.  Identified the schools which provide the best fit demographically.  Conducted extensive teacher training with the support of AASHTO providing industry professionals to support RIDOT’s initiative in RI schools.

Demographics RIDOT’s TRAC/RIDES Program is currently serving 6300 hundred students.  49% are minority  53% are female  58% receive free or reduced meals at school

Funding  RIDOT dedicates $100,000 annually to provide training and purchase supplies for teachers and schools.  Funding source: FHWA

Implementation of the Program Challenges  Schools lack funding for curriculum and supplies.  Rhode Island has 39 separate school districts. Each having their own Superintendent and school committee.  Every school at the elementary, middle and high school level has their own principal.

Questions? Paul Sylvia ext. 4513