This project continues the regional center for next-generation manufacturing (RCNGM). The Colleges of Technology (COT) represents all 12 public Connecticut community colleges in partnership with six universities and 17 technical and comprehensive high schools. Included in this partnership are over 3000 manufacturing firms represented by the CT Business and Industry Association (CBIA). Over 250 community-college faculty, 75 faculty members of four-year institutions, along with 500 middle- and high-school teachers, have been engaged by the COT-RCNGM, directly impacting 59,000 students.
Skilled manufacturing personnel are needed, particularly in New England, as documented in local, regional, and national manufacturing-workforce survey data. This problem is especially acute for industries using next generation manufacturing technologies such as laser manufacturing, fuel-cell technologies, 3D solid modeling and simulations, rapid prototyping, and 5- and 6-axis machining centers. The COT-RCNGM continues to address critical regional workforce needs and impact the 21st century manufacturing workforce.
Intellectual Merit For regional manufacturers to remain competitive, prudent but substantial investments must be made in the latest software, hardware, and equipment developments. Investment is needed in systems integration collectively known as Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM). CIM is characterized by highly integrated computer systems that support all aspects of manufacturing across an entire organization and its supply chain. The COT-RCNGM is well positioned, with experienced staff, faculty and industry support, to pursue the evolution of CIM.
COT-RCNGM's proven model of mutually reinforcing goals begins with ongoing faculty development using industry externships to guide successful curriculum development. This is augmented by strong articulation agreements, culminating in highly effective recruitment and retention efforts targeting underrepresented populations. These efforts, driven by industry workforce needs, have had a marked impact on manufacturing program enrollments; for example, 57 new courses, nine credit certificates and 12 A.S. degree options in manufacturing and related technologies have already been developed and implemented. As manufacturing technologies continue to evolve, the COT-RCNGM is (1) providing professional development opportunities for faculty members that address 21st century workforce needs; (2) providing access to next generation curricula to include modeling, simulation, and CIM; (3) strengthening existing and creating new 2+2+2 articulation agreements; and (4) incorporating new models of student recruitment and retention that target women and minority populations.
Broader Impact The RCNGM has already developed a web presence that includes recruitment materials for students, parents, and educators. The center is sponsoring faculty members' papers, presentations and participation at regional and national conferences and workshops. The center is disseminating educators' career kits, pamphlets, brochures, and videos at seminars targeting students and their parents. The center is facilitating recruitment of underrepresented populations based on synergistic partnerships (e.g., the Girls Scouts and professional associations) to ensure sustainability. The broader impact is both regional and national since the center is working with nine other ATE centers and six ATE projects. The center responds to requests from around the country for recruitment materials to be adapted or used as a template to create local recruitment efforts. The center is broadening and strengthening its regional impact by disseminating proven practices throughout New England. Through collaborating with a network of community colleges, the center is assisting in the creation of the workforce essential for the United States to compete globally in the 21st century.
The Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing (RCNGM) is an NSF-funded Advanced Technological Education Center of Excellence that was developed by the Connecticut College of Technology (COT) in 2004 to develop a response to workforce needs for all twelve community colleges in Connecticut. The goals of the RCNGM are: the creation of articulation pathways, student recruitment and retention, curriculum development, and professional development. Through open meetings of the Site Coordinator Council, input is received from community college and university faculty, government representatives, business and industry partners, and educational program partners. Articulation agreements with 4-year colleges and universities are essential to support community college students’ transition to 4-year institutions. Partnerships with both public and private 4-year institutions have led to the creation and implementation of two College of Technology A.S. degree choices: Engineering Science or Technology Studies, which currently offers 17 different options. After completion of either of these degrees, all credits will seamlessly transfer to one of the 4-year partner universities for the student to complete a B.S. degree. The RCNGM is continuously designing and implementing student recruitment and retention programs. These programs strengthen and help expand articulation agreement and instructional collaboration among four-year colleges, community colleges, and secondary schools. Student recruitment activities include regional career expos that allow students to talk to local manufacturers their workforce needs, tour a community college campus, and attend presentations on advanced manufacturing technologies. Marketing activities include the RCNGM website, social media, and DVDs with accompanying Teacher Guides. The "Manufacture You Future 2.0" and "You Belong: Women in Manufacturing" DVDs include "day-in-the life" scenarios of employees who represent different roles in a variety of manufacturing jobs. The Teacher Guides include activities that can be done in the classroom to teach students about manufacturing career possibilities. Over 8,000 copies of the "Manufacture You Future" DVD have been distributed nationally. These materials can also be found on the RCNGM’s website at www.nextgenmfg.org. Curriculum development and implementation is an integral aspect of the RCNGM. With the assistance of industry input and education/industry collaborations, the RCNGM is able to ensure that students who enroll in the community colleges’ College of Technology pathway programs can transition from high school to higher education without loss of credit and obtain employment in cutting edge technologies in the region. Professional development activities for faculty are as important as the student activities. The RCNGM continuously provides opportunities for community college and high school faculty to upgrade their knowledge base of emerging technologies needed for next generation manufacturing. Faculty externships with local industries, workshops, seminars, and conferences all provide faculty with the tools and ideas needed to create curriculum that will meet current workforce needs. High school counselor workshops are also a key activity that exposes counselors and faculty to career possibilities that they can bring back to students and parents. The RCNGM has developed numerous programs and activities to prepare the future workforce for employment in advanced manufacturing fields. Since the Center received this second award in 2009, it has sponsored 84 seminars, 63 professional conferences, and 43 industry externships for faculty. More than 39,550 students and 14,500 faculty, counselors, educators and manufacturers have been impacted by these events. As a result, STEM program enrollments have seen impressive growth, with a 15.6% increase from 2009 to 2013. There has also been an associated 51.3% gain in enrollment of underrepresented populations during this award period. Student persistence rates received a tremendous boost from 270 industry-sponsored scholarships, 600 student internships, and 24 student design competitions. RCNGM programs are developed with the intention of dissemination and replication on a national level. Participants are able to use activities and modules learned to develop and implement their own curriculum based on current industry needs.
