3 ways the engineering industry is recovering from COVID-19

The engineering industry felt the immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. After more than 18 months of trials and tribulations, it’s finally on its way to economic recovery in 2022.

We look forward to seeing our industry heal and find a path toward recovery. We’re also looking forward to being able to connect with our members again, as in-person events make a return. While we’ve enjoyed all of the virtual conferences, there’s nothing like connecting face-to-face.

As you move forward in your career, we recommend staying up-to-date with the latest engineering practices to keep your skills relevant in the market. Here are three things to look forward to in the coming year:

1. $1 trillion infrastructure bill

After months of back-and-forth, the House of Representatives has officially passed a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill which is a huge victory! The passage of this bill creates thousands of jobs and helps engineers and construction workers better the communities we live in. Many of these projects will also focus on the goal of reducing our carbon emissions and bettering our planet.

Here’s a rough outline of exactly what the bill entails:

• $110 billion for U.S. roads, bridges, etc
• $39 billion for public transportation
• $25 billion for airports
• $66 billion for passenger and freight trail
• $7.5 billion for zero and low emission bus and ferries
• $7.5 billion for electric vehicles
• $1 billion for the revitalization of our communities
• $17 billion for port infrastructure

2. Looser COVID-19 restrictions

While the COVID-19 pandemic is still far from over, we’re learning how to live with the virus while following recommended guidelines from the CDC.

Millions of Americans are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and many at-risk workers are receiving booster shots. What’s more, the Biden Administration and the FDA recently announced that all American adults are now eligible for a COVID-19 booster. If you haven’t already got yours, now is the perfect time to take action!

3. More diversity in the workforce

With many companies funding initiatives to promote diversity and recruit new talent, there’s going to be more people joining the industry, and that’s great news. Not only will we see more women in higher-up positions, but we’ll also see more minorities heading up major projects.

If you haven’t invested in an ACEC Utah membership, now is the time. The landscape is rapidly changing in 2022, and it’s crucial to network and keep up with the latest technology and practices.