Piedmont Virginia Community College proposes to strengthen its Information Systems Technology and Electronics and Computer Technology programs to meet growing demand for technicians in the region. The college is piloting several strategies to increase enrollment, retention, and job placement. Some of these strategies include establishing a technology consortium of local employers, faculty professional development for high school and community college faculty, and paid student internships. Best practices will be implemented, including targeted recruitment, to attract women and to maintain the current high percentages of minority students. Increased production of computer technicians is expected to make a positive impact on the economic success of the Central Virginia region. Project results will be shared with the Virginia Community College System and the NSF ATE community.
Piedmont Virginia Community College NSF Advanced Technological Education Two-Year Grant – ComET Project Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) was awarded an NSF Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grant in summer 2010. The goals of Project ComET (Computer and Electronics Technology Technician Program) were to grow the output of technician graduates to meet market demand and to increase the proportional participation of women while maintaining the current high level of minority enrollment. Measurable objectives for the two targeted programs (Information Systems Technology and Electronics & Computer Technology) were to increase enrollment including women, retention, and job placement of graduates. PVCC implemented three key strategies to achieve its objectives, as follows: Paid Internships The ComET project enabled 56 students to receive valuable workplace experience through grant-funded internships with local technology employers. Employers were able to see the value of PVCC interns firsthand and consider them for employment. PVCC generated at least eight new relationships with employers through this grant program, many of whom show continued interest in offering paid internships to PVCC Information Technology and Electronics students after the end of the grant. Eleven interns were hired for part-time or full-time positions. Recruitment and Retention Plan Early in the grant a plan was developed in conjunction with the PVCC Outreach and Marketing Departments to improve enrollment and retention in the IT and Electronics programs with a focus on recruiting women and retaining minorities in the program. Recruitment activities included numerous public events, outreach to high school students, and both radio advertising and a recruitment video targeting women and minorities. As a result, enrollment increased by 26.5 percent for the two programs combined over two years. The retention component included four strategies, three of which focused on faculty proactively identifying and addressing student performance issues and strengthening communication and relationships with students in order to avoid drop out. The fourth strategy was a major focus of the retention effort – placing students into internships. This strategy required more time than anticipated to prepare, place, and sustain students through the internship process. The relationship and internship building efforts with the employers also took more time than planned; however, the strategy was very successful. Overall, retention rates were improved by 15.6 percent in two years. Although this was an important gain, the aggressive targets in the grant plan were not met. Program leaders anticipate a continuing focus on improvement of retention rates. It should be noted that the project achieved significant gains in enrollment of women in the two technician programs: the average increase in women exceeded 25 percent each year. Technology Consortium The purpose of the Piedmont Area Technology Consortium (PATC) was to organize and enhance collaboration between the faculty at PVCC and regional technology employers to support educational programs and to facilitate student work experiences, mentoring, scholarships, and job placement. Membership was targeted to include 12 to 15 employers; at the end of the grant, membership exceeded 30 employers representing a cross section of local private and public organizations. The Consortium provided (and continues to provide) curriculum input and guidance for the Electronics and Information Technology programs of the College; organizes and promotes internship opportunities for PVCC technology students; provides job listings and information to technology students; and gives motivational presentations and demos at classes. The NSF ATE grant was instrumental in establishing the Piedmont Area Technology Consortium, which is now recognized by area technology employers as a resource for private-public collaboration focused on education-to-employment, including hiring PVCC students and alumni as well as networking within the field. PVCC is pleased to continue to support the biannual meeting of the PATC on campus in conjunction with Electronics and Information Technology faculty. It will continue to be an important vehicle for maintaining relationships with area technology employers and sustaining work experiences for technician students in the future. The ComET project, funded by an NSF ATE grant, is considered a success by student participants, area technology employers, and the College. Not only has it benefitted students over the past two years, but the programs begun during the grant period will continue to positively impact the College and community into the future. These initiatives will bolster the pipeline of electronics and information technology workers for area employers demanding a highly skilled technician workforce.
