At Colliers Engineering & Design, we believe the future of our industry depends on more than delivering exceptional projects, it depends on developing exceptional people.

This summer, our Civil/Site Division is launching two significant workforce development initiatives aimed at strengthening the engineering profession, accelerating career growth for emerging professionals, and increasing awareness of engineering opportunities among future generations.

These programs represent an investment not only in our company, but in the future of land development engineering industry itself.

These initiatives, launched from the firm’s Miami office, are guided by Eugene Collings-Bonfill, PE, PSM, Geographic Discipline Lead for Florida, and reflect a broader vision of creating meaningful opportunities for students and young professionals to gain exposure to the engineering profession. With the support of Civil/Site Division Director Ron Lezott and the collaboration of our Civil/Site professionals from offices across the country, these programs demonstrate the division’s commitment to investing in people, sharing knowledge, and developing future industry leaders.

Accelerating the Transition from Classroom to Career

One of the challenges facing the engineering industry today is the gap between academic education and practical application. While universities provide students with strong technical foundations, many graduates enter the workforce with limited exposure to the real-world process of land development.

To help bridge that gap, the Civil/Site Division has developed and launched the Intern Accelerator Program, an intensive eight-week training initiative designed specifically for interns and recent graduates pursuing careers in land development engineering.

The program consists of 16 staff/instructor-led sessions that guide participants through the complete lifecycle of a development project: from initial site feasibility and due diligence through design, permitting, construction support, and project closeout.

Unlike a traditional classroom environment, the Accelerator Program is Engineering 101 for land development and focuses on practical application. Participants gain exposure to the decisions, challenges, and workflows that engineers encounter every day while delivering successful projects.

Topics include:

• Site feasibility and project planning
• Conceptual site layout and design
• Due diligence and site investigations
• Grading and drainage design
• Stormwater management
• Utility infrastructure
• Erosion and sediment control
• Permitting and agency coordination
• Construction administration and post-design support

The goal is simple: provide emerging professionals with a clearer understanding of what land development engineers actually do and accelerate their readiness to contribute to project teams.

What makes this program particularly unique is the collaboration behind it. Trainers from Civil/Site offices across the country are volunteering their time and expertise to teach the next generation of engineers. By bringing together experienced professionals from multiple regions and markets, participants gain exposure to a broad range of perspectives, project types, and best practices.

“This program was created to provide young engineers with practical knowledge that often takes years to develop in the field,” said Eugene. “We wanted to create a learning experience that goes beyond theory and helps participants understand how projects move from an idea on paper to a completed development that serves a community.”

The result is a hands-on learning experience that focuses on the practical realities of engineering practice and the collaborative nature of delivering successful projects.

Inspiring Future Engineers Before They Enter College

The Civil/Site Division’s commitment to workforce development extends beyond college students and recent graduates.

This summer, the Miami office will participate in a local high school engineering shadowing program, welcoming seven students from Belen Jesuit Prep who have expressed interest in engineering and related STEM careers.

Throughout the summer, students will spend time alongside engineers, designers, project managers, and technical staff to gain firsthand exposure to the profession. They will observe project meetings, learn about engineering technologies, explore how projects move from concept to construction, and see the impact engineering has on the communities we serve.

For many students, this experience will provide their first look inside a professional engineering environment.

The objective is not only to educate but to inspire. By introducing students to real-world engineering applications early in their academic journey, we hope to encourage them to pursue engineering degrees and careers that will ultimately help address the growing demand for engineering talent nationwide.