<p>Oates Associates, a civil and structural engineering/architectural design firm, has received the prestigious Private Practice Professional Development (PEPP) Award from the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). The award, which honors exceptional career development practices, was officially presented to Jeffrey Rensing, P.E., of Oates Associates during NSPE's annual conference, held in Las Vegas from July 13-17.</p>
<p>The PEPP Award is presented annually to an engineering firm that exhibits exceptional career development initiatives and that advances the engineering profession through its employment policies and practices. The award encourages all engineering firms to adopt progressive career development policies and practices.</p>
<p>More than half of Oates Associates' 41 staff members are licensed professionals, including professional engineers, architects and a landscape architect. Of the 22 licensed professionals, 15 earned their licenses while employed at Oates Associates, which offers tuition reimbursement, paid time off for license preparation and examinations, and membership in professional organizations.</p>
<p>The PEPP Awards Committee selects the firm based on the organization's current and longtime career development reputation, with particular emphasis on the preceding twelve months. Criteria include engineering personnel/licensure information, recruitment, employment, professional development and special employment practices.</p>
<p>Oates Associates is a multi-disciplined design firm with offices in St. Louis, Missouri and Collinsville, Illinois.</p>
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