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DOT
Is the Diligent "Ant"
Many of you are familiar
with the classic fable of "The Ant and the Grasshopper."
In a field one summer's
day, a grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart's content.
An ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking
to the nest.
"Why not come and chat with me instead of working so hard?" said the
grasshopper. The ant said, "I am storing food for the winter, and I recommend
that you do the same."
"Why bother about winter?" said the grasshopper. "We have plenty
of food."
But the ant went on its way and continued its toil. When the winter came the
grasshopper had no food and found itself dying of hunger, while everyday, it
saw the ants distributing corn and grain from the stores they had collected
in the summer. Then the grasshopper knew: It is best to prepare for the days
of necessity.
The future is full of uncertainty,
but as sure as the ant knew that food would be hard to come by in the winter
and that some preparations were needed to avert a predictable disaster, the
Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
recognize that action is required today to prevent a debilitating lack of transportation
experts and engineers in the future.
"We are at a crossroads in the transportation field," said Secretary
of Transportation Rodney E. Slater. "Much of the nation's seasoned [transportation]
work force is retiring. Meanwhile, the demand for both traditional and new skills
is expanding. One in seven jobs in America is transportation-related, and that
ratio means we will continue to need skilled transportation workers for many
years to come."
That's why Slater and FHWA have been champions of programs to encourage today's
students - from kindergarten to college - to consider careers in transportation.
Almost exactly three years ago, on May 30, 1997, Slater kicked off DOT's Garrett
A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Futures Program. Slater continually
challenges students to develop their proficiencies in math and science, prerequisites
for a career in transportation.
That's why in February 2000, FHWA sponsored for the first time a special award
in the Future City Competition that is part of the activities of National Engineers
Week. Seventh- and eighth-grade students design futuristic cities by computer
and build scale models.This year, FHWA gave an award to the team that best incorporated
transportation elements in their prototype future city. (See related article
on page 22.)
And that's why this summer, FHWA is adding five colleges and universities as
host sites for the National Summer Transportation Institute (NSTI). Last year,
30 colleges and universities and more than 645 secondary students from across
the country participated in the NSTI program. It features a four-week introduction
to all modes of transportation and to careers in transportation as well as academic
enhancement activities. (See the list of participating institutions on page
54.)
"As we seek to develop a skilled work force to meet the transportation
needs of the next century, FHWA must continue to take steps to ensure that young
students see the importance of transportation to economic growth for the country
and the potential for career opportunities in transportation," said Federal
Highway Administrator Kenneth R. Wykle.
Sure, there are plenty of problems today to occupy DOT and FHWA, but part of
being "vigilant and visionary," the twin challenges of Secretary Slater
to the employees of the department, is to look ahead and to head off the looming
problems of future. Under these circumstances, it is a compliment to be called
an ant.
Bob Bryant
Editor
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National Transportation Week
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