Professional Formation of Engineers (PFE)

The Professional Formation of Engineers (PFE) initiative integrates engineering research and education to improve and expand the nation's engineering workforce. The goal of PFE is to create an ethical engineering workforce with a global outlook and the ability to adapt to the rapidly evolving technical environment. This will help build a future engineering workforce with the skills to compete in the global marketplace, support emerging technologies, and grow U.S. industry. Key aspects of this opportunity include: • Supporting projects in the ENGINEER program relating to future and current engineers' training and education in many contexts • Encompassing cooperative education and internships, community-based experiences, and research labs • Involving many scales of analysis, from mentor/mentee relationships to large-scale online learning and professional development experiences • Developing and maintaining learning opportunities with clear pathways to and through the profession • Considering relationships with other professionals, technical workers, and community members • Including transitions across and within academia and industry