Highway Materials Engineering Course (HMEC)

The E-Content Consulting team re-developed more than 180 hours of training (30 hours of web-based training, 20 hours of web-conference training, 120 hours of classroom-based, instructor-led training and associated lab sessions, and 10 hours of independent study) within an 11-month timeframe. As a subcontractor for this project, E-Content Consulting teamed with renowned subject matter experts and the AASHTO Materials Reference Laboratory (AMRL) in Frederick, Maryland to provide award-winning training. The course was being recognized at the 2015 Training Officers Conference.

E-Content Consulting worked with the contractor to build a delivery platform for the web-based and web-conference portions of the training. Laboratory hands-on experiences were developed and delivered by AMRL and partners. The lab experiences gave participants hands-on learning opportunities with soils, aggregates, asphalt, steel (welding), coatings, and concrete. All nine of the training modules included a focus on the environment and the use of recycled materials. The impacts of materials to planning, performance management, and a wide range of constituents were presented.

Given the vast amount of training developed, and working within FHWA budget and time constraints, E-Content Consulting team members reworked the 6-week instructor-led training course into a blended learning experience that includes web-conference, web-based, independent study, and instructor-led training. This approach allowed participants to reduce their time away from the office, while still achieving learning outcomes. This approach also reduced the overall travel costs for FHWA and participants. E-Content Consulting offered an innovative solution to provide the 9,000-plus pages of instructional and reference material on a tablet device in lieu of printing. E-Content Consulting worked with FHWA, State DOT, industry associations, and renowned national experts to develop the course.

The client commended E-Content Consulting and its team on the quality of its project deliverables. The course is being delivered directly by the FHWA Program Office. That said, E-Content Consulting provided deliverables that meet the National Highway Institute Standards, are SCORM compliant, and fully 508 compliant.