Z ARCHIVE - MnDOT to host DOT Peer Exchange Conference on DBE and workforce program best practices
 MnDOT looks forward to joining with other State Departments of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration for a Peer Exchange Conference to be held virtually on October 27 and 28, from 8:30 am to 3 pm. As hosts, MnDOT’s Offices of Civil Rights, Advancing Equity, and Public Engagement and Constituent Services are busy preparing to facilitate open discussions about DBE and workforce program overviews, issues, and best practices, and sharing participating states’ perspectives on topics such as on-the-job training programs and innovative contracting methods to promote DBE and workforce participation.
“A peer exchange is a strong tool to help advance innovation and improvements by learning through other’s experiences,” explains Kris Riesenberg, Federal Highway Administration, Minnesota Division Technical Services Team Leader. “I am new to the Civil Rights program in Minnesota, and as I started working with the many highly dedicated professionals, I began to consider the tool. I saw an openness to new ideas. When I saw the motivation and efforts toward quality improvements, I knew a peer exchange would be successful.”
Key issues to be discussed include:
- Encouraging public participation from traditionally underrepresented groups
- Strategies for effectively supporting small businesses on highway heavy projects
- Enhancements for on-the-job training programs
- Using small contracts and alternative contracting methods to advance equity
- Payment monitoring and compliance
- Maximizing influence through annual compliance reviews
- Leveraging technology for program administration
- Pandemic-created challenges
“This peer exchange has ample practical applications to gain better insight about the Civil Rights program and how State DOTs deliver,” Riesenberg says. “I also appreciate the networking opportunities.”
The Peer Exchange Conference is open to all State DOT and FHWA staff. Interested in attending? For more information about the DOT Peer Exchange Conference on DBE and workforce program best practices, please contact Orlanda Klinkhammer, 651-366-3048.
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