The National Center of Excellence for Aerospace Technical Education (SpaceTEC), a consortium of 11 partner community colleges and universities, has developed and disseminated educational materials, established and improved associate degree programs, and implemented an industry-endorsed, nationally-recognized certification for aerospace technicians. As a national resource center, SpaceTEC supports the nation's civil aerospace initiatives, Department of Defense personnel and the fledgling commercial space industry by developing a better educated technical workforce that can address the significant changes in aerospace systems for research, defense and commercial purposes. A comprehensive and accessible repository of aerospace-related technical education materials and successful practices is established and maintained. Increased opportunities are created for students and incumbent workers to seek and complete an aerospace technical degree. Through industry and government support the partnership is expanded to ensure that the aerospace technology curriculum is current and relevant to industry and technological practices. Professional development workshops are provided to enhance and upgrade the skills and knowledge of educators and technicians. The Certified Aerospace Technician is established as a national standard for the industry and expects to certify 600 technicians nationally. Evaluation is done by local advisory committees, a National Aerospace Technology Advisory Committee, the National Visiting Committee and an external evaluator.
OUTCOMES AND RESULTS Based in Cape Canaveral, Florida, SpaceTEC® is a national consortium providing post-secondary technical education and training for our nation's aerospace technicians. The overall goal of this program is to prepare and credential technicians for "hands-on" aerospace and related careers. SpaceTEC® provides the nation's only internationally accredited, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) -recognized performance-based aerospace technician certifications that qualify for up to 76 hours of college credit through the American Council on Education’s (ACE) CREDIT Program. OUTCOMES FOR THIS GRANT INCLUDE: Provided aerospace courses to more than 75,000 students at 14 colleges nationwide. Graduated more than 52,000 aerospace students in ten states, many serving in the military. Offered workshops/clinics/webinars/meetings to more than 300 primary and secondary education institutions and more than 200,000 of their students nationwide. Promoted the aerospace technician curriculum as a national standard accepted by all major partners. Achieved ACE recommendations for up to 76 college credit hours for SpaceTEC® certifications. Articulated college credit through Embry Riddle Aeronautical University for all partner colleges. Achieved accreditation under International Standards Organization's ISO 17024 - General Requirements For Bodies Operating Certifications Of Persons. Earned FAA Safety Approval for credentialing aerospace maintenance technicians. Obtained more than 70,000 NASA documents for courses, practicums, lessons learned, and best practices from human spaceflight tailored for aerospace technician training and credentialing. Issued more than 440 certifications for SpaceTEC® Certified Aerospace Technician® to date. Issued more than 200 certifications for CertTEC® non-aerospace STEM technicians to date. Evaluated the competencies of returning veterans, assisting and/or credentialing them for civilian jobs. RESULTS THAT DEMONSTRATE INTELLECTUAL MERIT ARE: The SpaceTEC® curriculum is used nationwide by all the SpaceTEC Consortium partner colleges and taught in their AAS and AS degree programs. It has become the standard by which aerospace technician education is judged. SpaceTEC® partner colleges offer work-relevant programs and articulate them through the American Council on Education CREDIT Program and via a formal SpaceTEC articulation agreement with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University on behalf of all aerospace students. More than 1000 college credit hours have been earned through SpaceTEC® certifications. NASA training and certification materials have been integrated into the NRC repository. This material comprises competencies and best practices that can be used in a wide variety of technical education and workplace venues, including aviation manufacturing and assembly. Computer-based assessments called Knowledge and Skill Inventories are available to determine each candidate’s strengths and weaknesses. The results are used to provide individual programs of study for success in the workplace. All SpaceTEC® certifications require: (1) a proctored computer-based written exam, (2) an oral exam, and (3) a hands-on practical exam to demonstrate required skills. The oral and practical exams are conducted by SpaceTEC®-certified examiners. More than 44,000 individual competencies have been certified in the Core and its 3 Concentrations. The more than 52,000 graduates from this program provide the emerging commercial aerospace industry with a workforce uniquely qualified to accomplish the tasks of aerospace technicians. RESULTS THAT DEMONSTRATE BROADER IMPACTS ARE: SpaceTEC® is professionalizing the aerospace technician career field by providing "stackable" credentials that begin with the Core and progress to one or more of its Concentrations. This opens career pathways that include entry-level to journeyman technician, lead technician, systems engineering technician, inspector, supervisor, and engineer. The SpaceTEC® NRC promotes space as a means to engage the American public in supporting the values of knowledge and work ethic. These are essential elements for our nation's continuing leadership in the world. Exploration in ANY field can be fun, and SpaceTEC's approaches fit many non-aerospace fields. The key is learning how to transfer knowledge and lessons learned in ways that inspire and engage without being intimidating. SpaceTEC® promotional efforts – including videos, printed information, classroom and online courses, field trips and site visits – motivate those who participate. These efforts often inspire others to support the nation's space program. See: www.youtube.com/watchv=GHka0aS_P08&feature=emupload_Owner and www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxeycbrCe3k. Students at SpaceTEC® partner colleges often succeed beyond their initial expectations, from Certificates to Associate Degrees and then on to Baccalaureate and Master's Degree programs, making them lifelong learners. Employers have confirmed the value of SpaceTEC® aerospace technician programs by consistently requesting graduates for interviews and job offers. These same approaches apply to a wide variety of technician jobs in non-aerospace industries. SpaceTEC® is using techniques that have been successful in aerospace education for curricula, classroom teaching, laboratory/shop activities, and credentialing in programs that serve other industries. Project CertTEC® has already successfully converted certifications for STEM technicians in Electricity/Electronics and Composites, and many other technologies may benefit from similar work. For additional information see www.spacetec.org, www.certtec.com, orwww.best-in-us.com, or call 321-730-1020. 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