The Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon (PLSO) is proud to announce it has been selected as a 2024–25 grant recipient by the NCEES Foundation, receiving funding to support a series of new initiatives designed to grow and strengthen Oregon’s land surveying workforce.

The initiatives, set to roll out over the coming year, will focus on increasing public awareness of the surveying profession, building stronger career pathways, and promoting licensure as the foundation of professional practice. Efforts will include outreach to students, veterans, and career seekers, as well as tools and resources to help small firms participate in meaningful workforce development.

The PLSO Board of Directors will convene in October to begin formal planning and implementation of these programs, with the goal of launching multiple efforts ahead of the 2026 hiring season. These initiatives are part of PLSO’s ongoing commitment to ensuring a strong, skilled, and licensed surveying workforce for the future.

“PLSO is honored to be recognized by the NCEES Foundation and to have the opportunity to build programs that deliver real impact across Oregon,” said Executive Secretary Aimee McAuliffe. “This is about investing in the next generation and providing our members with tools to grow the profession.”

National Support for Licensure Advancement

PLSO joins 12 other organizations nationwide awarded grants by the NCEES Foundation in its 2024–25 funding cycle. Recipients include universities, state societies, and professional associations whose projects aim to advance engineering and surveying licensure and protect the public welfare.

Some of this year’s funded projects include:

• Outreach and licensure support for underrepresented professionals

• K–12 and college STEM engagement programs

• University-led recruitment and retention initiatives

• Career development programs for rural communities and veterans

The NCEES Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, supports efforts that directly promote the value of professional licensure and strengthen the engineering and surveying pipeline nationwide.

Looking Ahead

The Foundation is currently accepting donations for the 2025–26 funding cycle. Contributions at Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels help support future programs like those led by PLSO and will be recognized in NCEES publications and events. Letters of inquiry for the next round of funding open October 1, 2025.

To learn more about PLSO’s work, visit plso.org. For more information about the NCEES Foundation and how to contribute, visit ncees.org/foundation.