WASHINGTON, DC - December 6, 2000 - Continuing education for engineering professionals is vital. But as hectic as the average workday is, the question become: how does an engineer get quality continuing education as quickly, affordably, and easily as possible? The American Consulting Engineers Council (ACEC) and the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) have formed an alliance with KeepSmart, one of the nation's top online learning providers, to provide a solution. The Alliance for Continuing Education for Engineers (ACE²) offers affordable and convenient online continuing education courses for engineering professionals.

Online learning costs one-third less than off-site classroom training and consumes half the time, according to U.S. Department of Commerce estimates. Users of ACE² programs enjoy the convenience of immediately accessible CD-ROM and Web-based training that allows for just-in-time learning. It's an efficient and convenient way for engineering professionals to meet year-end continuing professional development requirements for state licensing.

The courses utilize video and/or audio instruction to bring engineering professionals the latest industry information in short course formats that fit easily into their schedules. By simply logging on to , users can review the course descriptions and click to place an order. After registering and paying online, a password is generated and the user takes the course online (many courses are just one hour in duration). Users may bookmark places within the course, allowing them to return to the course as often as necessary. Lastly, upon passing an online post-test, PDH credits are awarded to the user.

Professionals can purchase individual courses, and engineering and architectural firms can purchase subscriptions to the ACE² library of continuing education courses.

KeepSmartEngineering.com currently offers course titles in the following categories:

• Communications
• Ethics/Legal Issues
• Finance
• Human Resources
• Marketing
• Project & Risk Management
• Technical Civil Engineering

Six new titles were added to the online course library on December 6, 2000, including: Construction Site Safety; Legal Impacts of Technology on Engineering Practice; Advanced Internet Skills for Engineering Professionals; Do the Right Thing: Ethical Decision-Making for Engineers; Protecting Your Engineering License & Your Wallet; and Value Based Delivery Systems: Better, Faster, Cheaper.

"KeepSmart employs some of the nation's top experts in instructional design, computer technology, and behavioral psychology to create dynamic learning environments," said Andy Smith, KeepSmart Engineering President. "Professionals love the efficiency that online learning offers, since there is no down time for off-site travel and training."

"Our members find the online courses available through this alliance to be extremely valuable. They can fulfill their continuing education requirements easily and quickly," explained Albert H. Miller, P.E., P.L.S., F.NSPE, NSPE President.

"This online curriculum is broadening the delivery of continuing education and professional development for engineering professionals," said ACEC President Arnie Spiess, P.E., FACEC said. "ACEC is pleased with the 'paradigm-shifting' nature of this service, as it helps to maintain the highest standards among our nation's engineers, particularly in areas where in-classroom courses are unavailable."

Member prices are as low as $25 per PDH. For a list of available courses and associated PDH credit hours, visit SmartPros Engineering. For more information regarding ACE², contact SmartPros, ACEC, or NSPE.