The Illinois Department of Transportation is spotlighting jobs in engineering, surveying and construction in a first-ever conference in Peoria.

IDOT officials expected more than 200 central Illinois students to attend Wednesday's forum to learn about opportunities in the transportation industry.

There were 40 exhibits with hands-on activities for the students. Transportation professionals showed off several pieces of heavy equipment used to build and maintain Illinois highways and bridges.

Careers highlighted included civil engineering, engineering technology, safety engineering, surveying and the construction trades.

Federal statistics show as many as 1 million new construction-industry jobs will be available by 2016.

IDOT partners for the event included representatives from the transportation industry, educational institutions and community organizations.