Study recognizes need to improve high-tech workforce education
Recognizing a changing workforce and significant opportunity in the high technology manufacturing industry, the Maricopa County Community Colleges District (MCCD), in conjunction with SRP, took a proactive approach to establishing the needs, opportunities, and current workforce environment in the Greater Phoenix Area in regards to high technology manufacturing.
The result was an 11-month study conducted by Battelle Memorial Institute titled, "Competing with Talent: High Technology Manufacturing's Future in Greater Phoenix."
The study, released in January 2006, focused on five high-tech sectors:
- Semiconductors and computer hardware
- Aerospace and defense
- Electronics and instruments
- Advanced materials
- Information and telecommunications services
Information was gathered through Internet-based surveys, on-site interviews and focus groups. Two key findings were:
- There is a widening gap between skills needed and those actually possessed by workers; and
- The role of the technician is changing. Technology is advancing, but how academic institutions view and educate technicians has not changed.
As a result of the findings, MCCCD was recently awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant totaling $899,972 over a three-year period.
Technology is advancing, but how academic institutions view and educate technicians has not changed. The NSF grant, effective July 1, 2006, is aimed at improving the education of technicians for high-tech fields. The goals are faculty development, curriculum reform, and outreach and retention.
The project will strengthen partnerships between colleges, key industry partners and several school districts, including:
- Chandler-Gilbert Community College
- GateWay Community College
- Glendale Community College
- Mesa Community College
- Maricopa Community College's Center for Workforce Development
- Maricopa Advanced Technical Education Center
- Intel
- Avnet
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- ON Semiconductor
- Comtek Advanced Structures
- SUMCO USA
- Medtronic
- Mesa Unified School District
- Chandler Unified School District
- Gilbert Unified School District
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A task force will be established to ensure that improved technological education programs quickly respond to the changing needs of industry and the economy.
The focus of the grant includes reforming current curriculum, providing professional development for college faculty, and creating career and academic pathways from secondary schools to two-year colleges and from two-year colleges to four-year institutions.
The initiative also will ensure that improved technological education programs meet the needs of industry and the economy.
The full study, along with an executive summary briefing, can be found at www.maricopa.edu/workforce/hightech.php.
For more information about the high tech study or the NSF grant, visit www.maricopa.edu/workforce or call Rick Hansen, MCCD Associate Director, at (480) 731-8204.