For more information, contact Assistant Dean Michael McMillen (859.246.6770; michael.mcmillen@kctcs.edu) or see the program plan.
The Civil Engineering Technology program is an Associates of Applied Science program designed to offer students the training necessary to establish careers in civil engineering technology fields. Career options include Materials Testing, Commercial, Residential and Highway Surveying; Highway Construction Management; Construction Management; Construction Estimation; Construction Documentation; Construction Sight Design and Waste-Water Management.
The Civil Engineering Technology Program will focus on the field tasks and hands on aspects of construction. This is shown by this job description provided by an Advisory Committee member:
Materials Testing Technician - Perform laboratory and field tests on various construction materials such as soil, concrete and asphalt. Laboratory tests are conducted to determine engineering properties and to see that material specification requirements are being met. Duties also include field testing of the same materials on construction projects to verify that construction specifications are being met as the materials are placed in the constructed project. Salary range $22,000 to $28,000 per year.
The opportunities in the CET program are stated clearly in this note from another Advisory Committee member:
CET is a program that will prepare you for an Engineering Tech. job in the Engineering, Construction or Surveying industry. This program offers many diverse courses that will give you the opportunity to get a good idea of the different areas of interest that exist in the Engineering and Construction industry. This program will also help prepare you for moving into a four-year Civil Engineering degree program at the University of Kentucky.
The starting salary rage to expect is around $23,000 to $25,000 with the possibility of up to $32,000 to $35,000 or more in 2-3 years.
The job market for these type of jobs is very good now. It has been this way for the past 2-3 years, and I expect it to remain that way. Most local Engineering and Construction companies can't fill their job openings that they currently have. The potential for these students is as good as it has been in the last 10 years as far as jobs and salary. If you check the web sites of the local Engineering firms, you will see what I am talking about. Keep in mind that most companies have also raised the bar on qualifications, and they will only accept the highest quality students. This needs to be stressed to students coming into the program. They must maintain a high gpa.
I think this program has great potential and support. It is also a program that will supply people to fill an ever increasing void in the Engineering job market. Palmer Engineering and I would like to thank you for the opportunity to be involved in this program.
Kevin Hale
Computer Systems Coordinator / Project Manager
