Building the future: KDOT attends iBuild, inspires future construction professionals

High school and middle school students had the opportunity to climb inside 

KDOT vehicles and see how they operate from the inside.

More than 1,000 middle school and high school students in the Kansas City Metropolitan area had the opportunity to meet with transportation industry professionals and learn about various construction industry careers at the iBuild Showcase that took place at Bartle Hall in Kansas City on Thursday, May 5. 

KDOT crew members shared what it is like to work for the agency, what they see on a daily basis in work zones, and how to operate the various equipment and vehicles. They encouraged them to pursue careers that will help keep Kansas infrastructure strong and the economy growing.

Students asked the crews how KDOT uses advanced technology to perform their jobs every day. KDOT employees were able to explain how sensors and computer programs help determine the right mixture of road treatments during winter weather.

KDOT is committed to strengthening and encouraging construction professionals well into the future. Many of our jobs offer training and can be filled by high school graduates. For more information on job opportunities check out our website: 

KDOT hosts open houses to showcase transportation efforts and job opportunities

Secretary of Transportation Richard Carlson climbs into a KDOT dump truck during a open house event, which took place at the Concordia Subarea last friday. 

An open house event took place last Friday at the new Concordia Subarea.  The event was attended by current KDOT employees, retirees and the public.  Secretary of Transportation Richard Carlson, Catherine Patrick, State Transportation Engineer and Larry Thompson, Director of Operations, made the trip to north central Kansas for the event as well.

Several local dignitaries attended the open house including State Senator Elaine Bowers and Concordia City Manager Amy Lange.

A KDOT employee helps a member of the public at the KDOT open house and job fair event in Hutchinson, which took place on April 13. 

Earlier this month, The KDOT district in the south-central part of the state sponsored an open house and job fair in Hutchinson. 

Several crews brought out equipment for the public to explore, and Human Resources representatives were on hand to talk to people about jobs across the 18-county district. 

“We wanted to bring the public out to help them see that there are real people behind the orange cones — people who want to go home to their families at the end of the day,” said Public Affairs Manager Deb Gruver, who organized the event as part of National Work Zone Awareness Week. 

A child sits inside KDOT equipment at the open house and job fair event held in Hutchinson on April 13.

Touch a Truck event provides fun for all ages

The Touch a Truck event hosted more than 1,500 children and families and gave them a chance to experience a variety of important vehicles in person. 

More than 1,500 children and families had the chance to see and experience 30 vehicles on display at the Touch a Truck event last Saturday in Finney County. The event, which was hosted by the Finney County Public Library, hosted 24 organizations, including the Kansas Department of Transportation.

KDOT employees from the Garden City Sub Area stand in front of a KDOT dump truck.

The event kicked off with the arrival of the Life Team helicopter and included lunch for those attending and volunteers.  People of all ages seemed to enjoy seeing the vehicles up close. Children who attended the event interacted with KDOT vehicles by honking the horns and exploring the equipment. 

Young children explore the inside of a KDOT vehicle during the Touch a Truck event held in Garden City on July 1. 

Lisa Knoll, the KDOT Public Affairs Manager for Southwest Kansas, said that KDOT crew members answered questions and taught visitors about how the vehicles are used and how they help keep Kansas moving in various situations.

"The first thing most kids did was go straight for the loader," Knoll said. "They were intrigued with sitting in the loader and they loved honking the horn. We also showed them the dump truck.”

Knoll said that KDOT would love to participate in an event like this again if the opportunity arises.