Manufacturing Experiential Advancement Readiness Network
Columbus State Community College, in collaboration with Lorain County Community College and industry, state, and education partners, is advancing experiential work-based learning programming and outreach to increase the number of qualified advanced manufacturing technicians. This initiative is called the Manufacturing Experiential Advancement Readiness Network (EARN).
Accounting for 18 percent of Ohio’s economy in 2016, manufacturing is considered the third-largest manufacturing workforce in the nation by JobsOhio (2017). Since 2010, Ohio’s manufacturing employment in sectors such as food manufacturing, beverage and tobacco products, wood products, petroleum and coal products, and computer and electronic product manufacturing has increased by 14 percent and is expected to continue to grow through 2027 (Emsi, 2017).
The creation and distribution of a work-based learning model will be the primary concept driving the project, with activities focusing on students applying their skills to a specific occupation. The project will build a statewide network to support faculty with the principles of work-based learning in community colleges. Existing industry partnerships will be leveraged through the EARN industry leadership council’s involvement in project activities throughout its duration.
Project Objective:
The goal of the project is to increase the number of qualified advanced manufacturing technicians by creating new opportunities for work-based learning and concurrent streamlining of outreach to students through a collaborative, structured statewide network.
Project Deliverables:
The project will generate three objectives aligned to target audiences which include educators, students, and industry. Three overarching themes will produce four aligned deliverables.
- Theme 1: Work-Based Learning Model
- Deliverable 1: Create a work-based learning menu collecting best practices and providing educational and promotional tools for companies, educators, and students, with sharing through a work-based learning symposium
- Theme 2: Statewide Collaboration with Industry and College Network
- Deliverable 2: Statewide network for advanced manufacturing models between community colleges
- Deliverable 3: Industry leadership team for developing public-private partnerships
- Theme 3: Outreach and Communications Initiative
- Deliverable 4: Outreach and recruitment strategy for community colleges to increase the pipeline of students entering advanced manufacturing pathways
What is ATE?
The Manufacturing Experiential Advancement Readiness Network project is being funded by a National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Grant (DUE 1800612). With an emphasis on two-year colleges, Advanced Technological Education program focuses on the education of technicians for the high-technology fields that drive our nation's economy. The program involves partnerships between academic institutions and industry to promote improvement in the education of science and engineering technicians at the undergraduate and secondary school levels. The ATE program supports curriculum development; professional development of college faculty and secondary school teachers; career pathways to two-year colleges from secondary schools and from two-year colleges to four-year institutions; and other activities.