Return to 2009 Award Winners and Finalists


Sustaining the Professions Winner

The following project best exemplifies a commitment to sustain the infrastructure professions through continuous learning, professional development, mentoring the next generation of infrastructure professionals, and providing an exceptional environment for learning.

Parsons Brinckerhoff
New York City, New York, United States

Founded in 1885 and headquartered in New York City, Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) is a leader in the development and operation of infrastructure to meet the needs of communities around the globe. Long recognized as one of the world's leading transportation engineering firms, PB now provides comprehensive services for all types of infrastructure projects including power, buildings, environment, and telecommunications. PB’s professionals are the firm’s greatest asset in providing unparalleled service to its clients.

PB enables its colleagues to succeed in the infrastructure professions by providing an exceptional learning environment of collaboration and mentoring integral to professional development. Working in more than 80 countries for increasingly diverse clients, PB fosters a workforce that reflects and is respectful of local cultures and customs. In the U.S. market, for example, PB hires inclusively across all demographics. Globally, the firm hires from the local labor market. PB works closely with colleges and universities to give new graduates the opportunity to grow with full-time, part-time, or internship positions.

The first of its kind in the industry, PB's Professional Growth Network (PGN) allows its emerging professionals to directly shape the future of the company. Participants help establish and improve corporate and career development programs. The PGN enables direct communication among peers and senior management and has yielded recommendations for PB's corporate strategy as well as improvements to the mentoring and new employee programs.

PB emphasizes technical quality among its professionals and is significantly invested in Bentley’s Enterprise Training Subscription program. The firm is maximizing the value of the program by earning 50 percent of learning units online, compared to just 16 percent of units earned online by worldwide program participants in 2009. Of PB’s scheduled courses with Bentley Institute, 81 percent are taken via distance learning—further extending the benefits to a geographically diverse employee base.