An accelerated career path just for you.

Our unique training program puts you on a straightforward, step-by-step fast track toward an exciting career. It is a chance to receive the training, skill building, and networking necessary for a long-term career as a civil engineering technician.

We want the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry to look more like the communities it serves. We want the people who live, learn, and play in our communities to also work in them. Opportunity+ was built to provide a pathway into the AEC industry for those that are generally underrepresented in it, specifically women and people of color. The intent of the program is to reduce and remove some of the barriers to a successful career as a civil engineering technician.

If you are interested in partnering with Opportunity+ and would like to receive more information, please subscribe to our quarterly emails.  

The application period for the 2024 Opportunity+ Training Program has ended. We offer this program once per year. Please check back in the fall of 2024 for details about the 2025 program.

Free

Flex Schedule

Fast Paced Training

Relevant Training

Great Compensation

Competitive Benefits

Clear Career Path

Supportive Network

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Free

College or training can be expensive. Opportunity+ will cost you nothing.

Flex Schedule

Our training takes place during evenings and occasional weekends. This allows you the flexibility to continue working during the day.

Fast Paced Training

Opportunity+ is a 3-month commitment; not many programs can get you from classroom to job that quickly.

Relevant Training

Our program includes classroom, laboratory, and field training. You will not spend the entire program sitting at a desk. We make the program interactive and fun.

Great Compensation

Civil engineering technicians can expect to earn $17-20 per hour, often with additional overtime pay. You could easily earn $40,000 your first year.

Competitive Benefits

Jobs with our hiring partners include health, dental, retirement, and other benefits.

Clear Career Path

After a few years, you could work your way up to higher pay and more responsibility. Many people in the field earn $60,000-70,000 per year.

Supportive Network

You will work closely with others that participate in the program. You will have the opportunity to get to know managers and technicians from a variety of employers, creating priceless relationships.

Apply

Check back in the fall of 2024 for details about and the application for the 2025 program.

Program Details

Opportunity+ Hiring Partners

Expanding and growing the program outside of WSB has been a long-term goal. We are thrilled to have outstanding hiring partners. Our hiring partners reach across the industry and broaden hiring opportunities for participants.

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A Career Pathway in Civil Engineering

Civil engineering is the foundation of the places, spaces and systems that we use in our daily lives. Technicians play a critical role in ensuring the places we live, work and play – like roads, bridges, parks, homes, school, and even stadiums – are safe.

Opportunity+ focuses on preparing participants for work as a Civil Engineering Technician. People find these careers satisfying if they:

  • Like being outdoors
  • Enjoy a change of scenery
  • Thrive working on a variety of projects
  • Are interested in civil engineering and construction
  • Like working with variety of people
  • Can work independently and as part of a team

Civil Engineering Technician

A Civil Engineering Technician is a broad term that could lead to many different career paths. This path could lead to a career in surveying, construction materials testing and site inspection, among other things.

The Career Pathway
With hard work, dedication, and consistent progress Civil Engineering Technicians reach new heights.

  • Engineering Technician, Entry level | $17+/hour
  • Engineering Technician, Mid-level | 2+ years’ experience | $19+/hour
  • Engineering Technician, Experienced | 5+ years’ experience | $23+/hour

Surveying

Survey crew members collect the data needed for construction and development. They bring maps to life by identifying points, places, and features in real life. That information is used to design and build almost everything around us.

A day in the life of a Survey Crew Member:

Survey Crew Members assist Survey Crew Chiefs with all day-to-day operations on a wide variety of public and private projects.

Specifically, Survey Crew Members will:

  • Assist Survey Crew Chief in gathering thorough and accurate data
  • Set stakes for construction surveys
  • Operate GPS and robotic Total Station
  • Check calculations
  • Set-up, calibrate, use and maintain survey field equipment
  • Keep the survey vehicle clean and organized
  • Travel, including overnight stays, is occasionally required

Construction Materials Testing

Construction materials technicians verify that the materials used in construction meet project specifications. Typically, testing is conducted as a project is being built. Technicians perform field testing to check the material’s physical properties such as air content, workability, temperature and density. Samples are also retrieved for laboratory testing of flexibility, strength, grain size and other mix properties.

A day in the life of a Construction Materials Testing Technician:

Construction Materials Testing Technicians will:

  • Perform sampling and testing of a variety of soils and construction materials in the field and/or in the laboratory
  • Be responsible for explaining and enforcing project specifications related to sampling and testing of construction materials
  • Maintain and record logs of daily work, tests performed, and time and materials expended
  • Spend time in the field providing inspection of construction operations and evaluation of the contractors’ work

Site Inspectors

Site Inspectors have a variety of responsibilities. They work around natural gas distribution pipelines and facilities. Duties include measuring the depth and alignment of trenches and examining trenches for stones and debris or damage.

A day in the life of a Site Inspector:

  • Verify crew member operator qualifications to ensure proper documentation
  • Check-in materials onsite to ensure they meet project specifications
  • Daily observation of all tasks being performed onsite
  • Perform daily documentation for each project

Five steps to your career in civil engineering

Step 1
Complete an online application (check back in the fall of 2024). This indicates your interest and eligibility for the program. The right candidate is someone who has a positive attitude, is motivated, and is committed to learning.

Step 2
Complete a phone interview to share your background and interest in Opportunity+.

Step 3
A group of 10-15 qualified candidates will be invited to join Opportunity+ starting in February.

Step 4
Attend the Opportunity+ Training Program. We expect participants to attend each session. Due to the hands-on nature of the training, the program will take place in person.

Step 5
Interview and start your career. Upon completion of the program, WSB, our hiring partners, and construction and engineering companies throughout the region will benefit from someone with your skills. You will likely be invited to interview with WSB or one of our hiring partners. Then, begin your career as a survey crew member or construction materials technician.

Eligibility

Applicants should meet the basic eligibility criteria as outlined below:

Personal Qualifications

  • Positive can-do attitude
  • Dependable and trustworthy
  • Grit, determination, and motivation
  • Interest in advancing your career
  • Ability to work in a team environment and independently

Educational Qualifications

  • High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
  • Good communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Basic math skills
  • Basic computer skills

Physical Requirements

  • Ability to frequently lift and carry up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds
  • Ability to work in physically demanding situations in a variety of weather conditions and terrains

Other Requirements

  • Legally authorized to work in the United States
  • Have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record
  • Ability to work from multiple locations
  • Clean criminal record, ability to pass drug test

Contact Us:

For more information, contact [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cost to participate in the program?
No, Opportunity+ is free.

Am I eligible for Opportunity+?
Opportunity+ is for anyone looking for a new path and interested in a career in civil engineering. People who are interested in a rewarding and evolving career are a great match for our program. If you are 18 years or older with a high school diploma (or equivalent) we encourage you to apply.

Am I guaranteed a job at the end of the program?
While we can’t guarantee a job upon completion, we’ll connect you with a variety of employers with job openings.

When does the program begin and end?
The program begins in February and ends in April. The program runs once per year.

What is the time commitment?
The program will run three nights a week – Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday – from 5:30-8:30 pm. You must attend all classes.

How many people will participate in the program?
We have space for 10-15 participants in the program.

Where will training take place?
The training will be held in WSB’s training space, WSB University at 701 Xenia Ave S, Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN 55416. Parking is available on-site.

The future is ours for the making.

We partner with our clients and communities to build what’s next in infrastructure—the places, space and systems that support our lives.

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