The UL Lafayette College of Engineering is partnering with the University’s Office of Facility Management as part of the new Engineering Structured Apprenticeship Program (ESAP).
Through this collaboration, the College of Engineering and the Office of Facility Management will hire 10 students before the end of November to work on active construction projects across campus. Facility Management staff will benefit from this student support while helping shape the next generation of construction professionals.
“This partnership offers our students an exceptional learning opportunity,” said Dr. Ahmed Khattab, dean of the College of Engineering. “By experiencing projects through the lens of the client, they develop skills and awareness that will make them stronger, more effective construction managers.”
The program integrates coursework, work experience, professional certification and credentials designed to reinforce one another and create a strong pipeline of contractors. Each student is supported by an academic advisor and industry mentor and will have a direct impact on shaping the University’s campus projects.
Working alongside Facility Management staff, construction management students will gain insight into how large-scale projects are planned, managed and overseen by the customer, giving them an edge in understanding expectations and navigating challenges once they enter the construction industry.
“This collaboration gives our students a professional advantage,” said Scott Hebert, director for Facility Management. “They graduate with both technical expertise, hands on experience, and customer insight, a combination that makes them highly effective construction managers equipped to excel immediately in the construction industry.”
Photo caption: Construction management students in the College of Engineering will work alongside professionals in the University's Office of Facilities Management. (Photo credit: Doug Dugas / University of Louisiana at Lafayette)