02/23/2026

Message from Beth -- February 25, 2026

After celebrating last week’s Engineering Excellence Award winners, we’re carrying that momentum into E‑Week 2026. Engineering shapes daily life, and this year’s Transform Your Future theme emphasizes the need for a strong workforce pipeline in Ohio.

To meet growing talent demands, ACEC Ohio’s Workforce Development Committee has refreshed its work plan using the ACEC Workforce Development Playbook. Step one was a data‑driven review of Ohio public university enrollment trends shows shifts in disciplines, enrollment changes, and demographic patterns that will directly influence the future supply of licensed professionals and technical staff.

These findings are informing both advocacy and industry action, see full details here. The committee will be working on the following areas:

Data Transparency and Industry Alignment
By analyzing public university enrollment trends, the committee is equipping member firms and policymakers with objective insights. Understanding where enrollment is growing and where it is declining allows the industry to anticipate talent shortages before they become crises.

Higher Education Collaboration
ACEC Ohio is strengthening relationships with engineering colleges and university leadership to better align academic output with market demand. This includes conversations that internships, co-ops, and mentorship programs are critical bridges between education and employment.

Strengthening the K–12 Pipeline
Workforce development must begin early. The committee supports outreach initiatives that expose students to engineering careers well before college.

Volunteer and Member Engagement

None of this work succeeds without member leadership. A centralized volunteer portal will make it easier for firms and individuals to participate in outreach efforts, track engagement, and share success stories. Next year, Engineering Week will be a focal point for coordinated school visits.

To get involved in the Workforce Development Committee’s initiatives, please connect with me or Lexi Francis. This Engineers Week, we celebrate the professionals who make a difference every day including YOU and focus on preparing the next generation of engineers to lead the way forward.

Happy E-Week!
~Beth