The Engineering Workforce Consortium (EWC) today announced that the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and its National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE) have joined the collaborative effort to address the critical workforce shortage facing infrastructure development across the United States.

AASHTO’s addition to the consortium significantly expands EWC’s reach into state departments of transportation, connecting the consortium’s workforce recruitment and retention initiatives directly with agencies responsible for implementing billions of dollars in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding. State DOTs nationwide are facing unprecedented demand for engineering talent as they work to deliver vital infrastructure projects in their communities.

The Engineering Workforce Consortium brings together 20 leading professional societies, trade associations, and academic institutions around three core objectives: attracting the next generation of engineering talent, retaining the existing workforce in engineering and public works, and advocating for industry growth and sustainability.

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How is engineering evolving — and what does the future demand from today’s leaders? Host Molly Tuttle is joined by Rodney Chester and Kathy Renzetti for an engaging Engineering Week discussion on resilience, mentorship, and the power of engineering to strengthen communities. From lessons learned to what’s next for the industry, this conversation highlights the people and purpose driving engineering forward.

From the devices in our pockets to the bridges we drive across, from clean water systems to lifesaving medical innovations, engineering touches every part of our lives. That’s why each year, Engineers Week is a time to celebrate the people who make all this possible—and to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers.

This year’s theme, Transform Your Future, is a powerful reminder that engineering doesn’t just shape our world—it shapes our opportunities, our communities, and the futures we can imagine for ourselves and our children.

Check out ACEC's resources and toolkit to celebrate Engineers Week: https://www.acec.org/news/engineers-week-2026/

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In this episode of Engineering Influence, ACEC’s Director of Workforce Development Molly Tuttle sits down with bestselling children’s author Andrea Beaty (The Questioneers: Rosie Revere, Engineer; Iggy Peck, Architect; Ada Twist, Scientist) to talk about getting more kids—especially girls—excited about STEM and how stories build confidence, curiosity, and resilience.

Beaty shares how failure fuels learning, why K–3 is a crucial inflection point, and concrete ways engineering firms can partner locally (literacy programs, hands-on events, and mentorship) to make STEM fun and meaningful. She also previews her new Questioneers picture book, “Billie Jean Peat, Athlete,” and highlights the project/chapter books families and classrooms can use right away.

What you’ll learn:

How storytelling helps kids claim identities: “I am an engineer. I am a scientist.”
Practical ideas for K–12 outreach that go beyond show-and-tell and into real community impact
The power of curiosity, reading, and asking better questions
Why early exposure widens the talent pipeline—and how internships & scholarships then keep it flowing
Tips you can use when mentoring kids (ditch the jargon, invite ideas, celebrate iteration)

Subscribe for more conversations on talent, technology, and policy in the A/E/C industry.

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