High-tech workforce study: response and actions
Maricopa Community Colleges' response to the 2006 Study, "High-Technology Manufacturing's Future in Greater Phoenix," has been prompt and thorough. This study, also known as the Battelle Study, recommended five key strategies.
Each strategy is identified below along with actions taken. Most actions, unless otherwise noted, were funded by a grant from the NSF and coordinated by the Center for Workforce Development's High Tech Workforce Initiative.
- Strengthen and build the talent pipeline.
Actions: Grant funds from the National Science Foundation and Carl Perkins hired a full time recruitment and outreach specialist for high tech careers. The first recruiter worked with high schools, industry partners, and community organizations to introduce prospective students and their career counselors to high-tech career pathways available through the colleges.
Progress: 4% increase in manufacturing-related enrollments in 2007-2008.
- Mount a multifaceted regional marketing program.
Actions: Developed a centralized information and recruitment Web site and brochures, available at www.azhightech.com. This site combines career and education information into one attractive, easy-to-navigate site. The Colleges secured the license to the national Dream It Do It marketing campaign, and founded a partnership with industry leaders to implement the campaign.
Progress: The azhightech website launched in February 2008 and will undergo regular updates and improvements; the Dream It Do It Campaign is currently in its planning and fundraising phase.
- Develop and continuously improve programs.
Actions: Launched an externship program, in which faculty from the colleges work with industry partners on-site at their companies to gain updated knowledge. They then receive instructional design support to develop and share curriculum. The High Tech Workforce Initiative Faculty Committee meets monthly to find ways to work together to align and improve their programs, creating shared skill-based competency statements.
Progress: Four faculty externships completed; currently in application phase for year two. New partnerships between faculty in similar programs from different colleges have emerged. The competency statements for different specialty areas have been incorporated into industry surveys.
- Increase and develop system capacity to deliver programs and services consistent with industry and employee needs.
Actions: Developing key courses in industry topics in a hybrid online/hands on format, funded by the colleges. Developed proposal for a portable lab in motors, sensors, and controls. Improved information sharing between colleges, so that if one college is unable to fulfill a customized training request, another one can.
Progress: First hybrid course will be completed in May. Portable lab project currently seeking funding.
- Partner with industry and the community to chart shared goals and evaluate performance.
Actions: Created a Manufacturing Workforce Advisory Board, whose first task is the implementation of the Dream It Do It Marketing Campaign. Created an Advisory Committee for the NSF grant activities.
Progress: The co-chairs of the Manufacturing Advisory Board have held several preliminary planning and strategy meetings. The NSF Advisory Committee conducted its first annual meeting in November.
