Precision Manufacturing Regional Alliance Project (PMRAP)

Educational Infrastructure Capacity Report

Findings and Recommendations

The Precision Manufacturing Regional Alliance Project is funded by the Massachusetts Office of Housing and Economic Development. PMRAPs early stage capacity and partnership building work was funded by the Innovation Institute at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. Matching cash and in-kind contributions were provided by the lead agency, the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County, Inc., and the Western Massachusetts Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association (WMNTMA). In-kind contributions were also provided by other project partners.

On the Cover Cover photos of graduates of the Machine Tool Technology program at selected vocational technical/comprehensive high schools who are currently employed in advanced manufacturing companies in the Region.

Your Connection to Workforce Development

Precision Manufacturing Regional Alliance Project (PMRAP)

Educational Infrastructure Capacity Report

Findings and Recommendations

January 2015

INTRODUCTION The Precision Manufacturing Regional Alliance Project (PMRAP) is a strategic initiative of the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County, Inc. (REB), in partnership with the broader regional advanced manufacturing industry and selected educational institutions in the Pioneer Valley Region. A major outcome of the project is to implement collaborative activities and programs to create a sustainable talent pipeline that will respond to the regional advanced manufacturing industry’s need for a highly skilled and agile workforce going forward. Figure 1 summarizes the overarching focus of the partnerships work to ensure a competitive manufacturing base in the region.

Figure 1

Technology and modern operational principles are changing, and will continue to change the materials, processes, and products of manufacturing resulting in the need for employees with increased levels of technical skills. Currently, the industry is hiring new workers, investing in new equipment to improve technology and operating processes, and is cautiously optimistic about their book of business moving forward. Continuing this positive trend will require a coordinated and effective response to their on-going need for a skilled workforce. The Mechanical Engineering Technology program at the Smith and Wesson Technology Applicati0ns Center at Springfield Technical Community College and the Machine Tool Technology program in the Region’s seven (7) vocational technical/comprehensive high schools are the primary education/training providers and sources of new talent for the regional advanced manufacturing industry and are partnering with PMRAP in this collaborative work. The capacity and readiness of these educational institutions to respond to the talent needs of the industry is critical to the industry’s ability to maintain their competitive advantage, increase market share, and grow their business in a global economy. The PMRAP partnership developed the 2014 Educational Infrastructure Capacity Survey (Appendix) and surveyed the educational institutions in order to assess their capacity to partner with the regional advanced manufacturing companies in implementing programs to respond to this critical business need. The Educational Infrastructure Capacity Report contains the responses, findings and recommendations from the Survey. The Report will be used by the PMRAP partnership to strengthen, and support the educational /training institutions, and to create a coordinated regional response to the present and future workforce needs of this critical industry sector in the Pioneer Valley Region.

OVERVIEW The Educational Infrastructure Capacity Report of the Precision Manufacturing Regional Alliance Project (PMRAP) presents responses, findings, and recommendations from the Educational Infrastructure Survey that was completed in November 2014 by the Dean, School of Engineering Technologies, and faculty of the Mechanical Engineering Technology program at Springfield Technical Community College, and the administrators and teachers in the Machine Tool Technology programs in the following seven (7) technical/comprehensive high schools in the Pioneer Valley Region.       

Westfield Vocational Technical High School Chicopee Comprehensive High School Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School William J. Dean Technical High School Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy Franklin County Technical School

The Report summarizes the responses, findings and recommendations on technology needs, staffing levels and requirements, curriculum designs, and program and student supports in the Mechanical Engineering Technology program and the Machine Tool Technology program, and provides a framework for collaborative action moving forward. The PMRAP partnership will use this information together with the findings and recommendations from the PMRAP Workforce Development and Technology Adoption Report (June 2014) to implement strategies and actions to support and strengthen the infrastructure and resources of the educational institutions to position them to continue to educate and train incumbent employees and new pipeline workers for career pathway employment positions in the broader regional advanced manufacturing industry.

The Educational Infrastructure Capacity Report can be viewed on the web site of the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County Inc. at www.rebhc.org, and on the web site of the Western Massachusetts Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association at http://www.wmntma.org/members-resources/industry-reports/.

Your Connection to Workforce Development

Educational Infrastructure Capacity Report Machine Tool Technology Program Section I-Introduction The Machine Tool Technology program in the seven (7) vocational technical/comprehensive high schools is the primary education/training provider and source of new talent for the regional advanced manufacturing industry. The capacity and readiness of these educational institutions to respond to the workforce needs of the industry is critical to the industry’s ability to remain competitive and grow their business in a global economy. Based on current enrollment and REB generated school-based data from the Machine Tool Technology programs in the vocational technical/comprehensive high schools in the region, the following number of students is projected to graduate in June 2015 and June 2016.

Projected Program Graduates 80

59

54 60 40 20

2014-2015

2015-2016 Table 1

Effective January 31, 2013, there were 322 students enrolled in the Machine Tool Technology program at the seven vocational technical/comprehensive high schools in the Pioneer Valley Region. This student enrollment represents a 78% program capacity rate.

1

Capacity and Enrollment 322

411

78%

Table 2

Section II- Responses, Findings, and Recommendations If funding or procurement sources were available, please describe any equipment purchases, enhancements, or upgrades from the following basic categories that would strengthen your Machine Tool Technology Program.

Responses Category

Description of Desired Equipment Needs

CNC Machines

• • •

Rapid Prototype Machine

3 D Printers

• • • • • •

Tool Room CNC Trak Control Lathes and Mills Proto Trak Lathes 4- 5 Axis CNC Milling and Turning Centers with Live Tooling Stereo Lithography Machine Direct Metal Laser Sintering Machine Selective Laser Sintering Machine Upgrade Current EDM CNC Wire EDM Requested by 3 Schools

Robotic Technology Equipment

•

No Comments

Quality Inspection Equipment

• • • • •

Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) Hardness Tester Optical Comparator Micro-Hite Style Height Gage PC Based Optical Inspection Station

Tooling

• • • • •

Increase Carbide Tooling CAT 30 Tool Holders Chucks for CNC Milling Machines Tooling for CNC Lathes and Mills Live Tooling for CNC Lathes

Software Programs

• • • • •

Upgrades to Existing Software Programs MasterCam V 7 Vectric Aspire CNC Software Waterjet Cutting Machine Upgrade Computers in CAD/CAM Program for MasterCam Instruction Camera and Output Device on CNC Equipment

Wire EDM

(Other)

•

2

Findings The vocational technical high schools have acquired new CNC machines during the past two years and are now looking to upgrade their instructional capabilities by purchasing 4- 5 Axis CNC Milling and Turning Centers that will better prepare students with the technical competencies needed to perform more complex manufacturing processes and operations. The schools have current technology capabilities using Rapid Prototype machines and Wire Electrical Discharge Machines (EDM), and although they are looking to upgrade their technologies in each of these technologies, they are comfortable with their present capacity to train students in these two technologies. Three (3) schools have requested 3 D Printers to support instruction in Additive Manufacturing. The remaining schools have basic capabilities in this emerging technology. There was limited request for Robotic equipment to train students in the basic technologies and processes involved in using robotic arms as part of the manufacturing process. Instruction in quality inspection is being accelerated in most schools and the purchase and/or upgrading of Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM) and non-contact measuring systems continues to be an area that schools are focused on as part of their curriculum. Budget limitations prevent all schools from having a sufficient and diverse array of tooling and material to support the instructional program. Schools must continue to rely on industry donations to supplement their tooling, stock, and consumable materials. The Machine Tool Technology programs in the region appear to be well equipped with the appropriate software programs to conduct their instructional programs.

Recommendations The PMRAP partnership and the broader advanced manufacturing industry need to continually promote the criticality of the Machine Tool Technology program and its significance to industry’s ability to identify new pipeline employees to respond to projected retirements and increased need for new production employees. The PMRAP partnership and the broader advanced manufacturing industry must continually advocate for increased school budget allocations and appropriate use of grant funding to purchase/upgrade CNC equipment to ensure that students attain industry aligned technical competencies. The schools must continue to evaluate their software capabilities and ensure that students receive sufficient instructional time using industry recognized software programs. As advanced manufacturing companies are required to perform more value-added work on parts and sub-assemblies, quality inspection equipment and tools must continue to be upgraded and aligned with industry requirements. The Machine Tool Technology Program Advisory Committees (PAC) in each technical school must implement a concerted, coordinated plan to engage their industry partners in donating tooling and metal stock to supplement constricted school budgets for instructional supplies and materials.

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Budget permitting, please comment on the status of the teachers in the Machine Tool Technology Program over the next five (5) years.

Responses Condition

Projected Status/Comments

Remain Constant Retirements - Number: Staff Reductions- Number: Staff Increases- Number: Not Certain of Projected Status (Other)

Instructional Staff- All Schools: 18 3 Retirements within Next Three Years 1 Teacher in Next Two Years 1 (Contingent Upon Funding)

Findings There are eighteen (18) full time instructors in the Machine Tool Technology program in the seven (7) vocational/technical/comprehensive high schools in the Pioneer Valley Region. School administrators and program department chairs anticipate one (1) staff reduction and one (1) increase to staff over the next two school years. Administrators anticipate three (3) retirements to occur during the next three years and plan to replace these instructors with appropriately licensed/ waivered machine tool technology teachers. The availability of appropriately licensed/waivered machine tool technology teachers is an issue that needs to be acknowledged. Proper succession planning and transition, and aggressive, targeted outreach and recruitment will be essential to ensure timely hiring going forward.

Recommendations The PMRAP partnership and the broader advanced manufacturing industry, led by the Western Massachusetts Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association (WMNTMA), must continually advocate with district school committees, school superintendents, and school principals/directors for appropriate school budget allocation to maintain and, where needed, increase the number of teachers in the Machine Tool Technology program. The PMRAP partnership MUST develop a strategic approach to identify and encourage industry employees and others who may wish to consider teaching as a career, and provide them with the appropriate guidance, financial incentives, and supports to consider transitioning from industry to education. Strategies may include the following: 

Paid Summer Externship for Machine Tool Technology program teachers at advanced manufacturing company in region served by vocational technical high school. Externship wages should be commensurate with teacher’s prior employment experience in advanced manufacturing.



Development of a Continuous Improvement Fund (CIF) that would pay 50% of course tuition costs for the final 12 credits required for the Machine Tool Technology program teacher to obtain professional licensure status.



Scholarship Program for children of a licensed Machine Tool Technology program teacher who has successfully completed 12 full school years as a manufacturing teacher in the same vocational technical high school. The child must be a matriculating student at a four year Massachusetts public university.

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Please indicate (√) which of the following career related activities/supports are currently available to the students enrolled in the Machine Tool Technology Program. If not currently available, which activities/supports would you like to be available to the students?

Responses Activities/Supports

Currently Available

Cooperative Education Program

All Schools All Schools 4 Schools 3 Schools 5 Schools

Company Tours/Events Summer Employment at Manufacturing Part Time After- School/ Saturday Employment Articulation Agreements with Post-Secondary

(Other)

Make Available

3 Schools 4 Schools 2 Schools • Summer programs for incoming 9th grade students • Summer awareness programs for middle school students

Findings The Region’s Machine Tool Technology programs offer and/or are beneficiaries of the following career related activities/supports for their students.  

Cooperative Education Program Company Tours/Events

Technical instructors would benefit by opportunities for summer employment at advanced manufacturing companies that would augment their salaries and expose them to new manufacturing technologies and processes that can be imbedded in the Machine Tool Technology program curriculum. Four (4) of the technical schools would benefit from opportunities for paid, part-time, after school or Saturday employment opportunities for their students. The continued development of structured and budgeted summer technical/academic programs for incoming 9th grade students that would expose them to the Machine Tool Technology program prior to their exploratory program in September would accelerate awareness of manufacturing as an educational career pathway. Current articulation agreements with post-secondary institutions should be reviewed and if necessary updated to ensure that students receive college credit for successful completion of technical competencies in the Machine Tool Technology program.

Recommendations Collaborative initiatives must be initiated to identify additional advanced manufacturing companies as sites to expand cooperative education programs for eligible students in grades 11 and 12. The PMRAP partnership should coordinate with the advanced manufacturing companies to connect students with paid, part-time after-school/Saturday employment opportunities that provide students with paid work opportunities in an advanced manufacturing environment. 5

The PMRAP partnership should coordinate with the advanced manufacturing companies and the vocational technical high schools to develop structured and budgeted summer technical/academic programs for incoming 9th grade students. This programming could accomplish the following:   

Increase Student Retention Rates Accelerate Technical and Academic Learning for New 9th Grade Students Create Awareness of Machine Tool Technology Program for Incoming Freshmen

Please identify the personal professional development activities that could enhance your instructional content / pedagogy, and that you may be interested in pursuing with the support of the PMRAP partnership (Please list Top 3 Activities in Priority Order).

Responses Activity Paid Summer Internship/Employment Industry Sponsored Training Company Tours /Events Industry Speakers Program at Your School (Other)

Priority 2014

Priority 2012

3 1 2

3 1 2

Findings Participating in industry sponsored training programs/seminars continues to be the primary professional development activity that instructors believe would enhance their technical knowledge, improve their instructional content and allow them to remain current with industry requirements and standards. Tours of regional advanced manufacturing companies and attendance at selected company events would allow instructors to view operations directly on the factory floor and incorporate best practices into the Machine Tool Technology program curriculum. Teachers continue to be interested in available paid summer internships/employment that will further accelerate their technical knowledge, expose them to technology innovation, and ensure that curriculum is more closely aligned with industry requirements and processes.

Recommendations The PMRAP partnership should continue to coordinate with the advanced manufacturing companies to identify and facilitate teachers attending appropriate industry sponsored training programs/seminars that would enhance their technical knowledge. The PMRAP partnership should connect program department chairs with advanced manufacturing companies to facilitate teacher tours and participation in company/industry-wide events that will increase their knowledge of new technologies and future innovation. Please comment on additional opportunities that the PMRAP partnership could assist with to improve or expand the infrastructure of the Machine Tool Technology Program that will result in a well trained workforce of both new and incumbent employees.

Responses No Additional Comments. 6

Your Connection to Workforce Development

Educational Infrastructure Capacity Survey Mechanical Engineering Technology Program (MET) Section I-Introduction This segment of the Educational Infrastructure Capacity Survey is intended to assess the present capacity of the Mechanical Engineering Technology Program (MET) at Springfield Technical Community College to continue to deliver industry-aligned education and training programs that produce skilled and adaptive individuals who are prepared to work in technologically-evolving advanced manufacturing settings now and in the future. The Mechanical Engineering Technology program (MET) at STCC is an essential part of the regional education/workforce development training partnership in the Pioneer Valley Region. The success of the Mechanical Engineering Technology program is critical to the ability of the regional advanced manufacturing industry to access new employees for a myriad of career pathway employment positions that add value to their design and manufacturing operations and position them to maintain their competitive advantage in today’s global economy.

Section II- Responses, Findings, and Recommendations If funding or procurement sources were available, please describe any equipment/software purchases, enhancements or upgrades from the following basic categories that would strengthen the Mechanical Engineering Technology Program.

Responses Category CNC Machines

Description of Desired Equipment Needs

Rapid Prototype Machine

Update Stratasys Prodigy Machine

CAD Related Equipment/Software

Large Size Plotter (sizes C and D) With Rapid Plot Speed Matlab Software Upgrade CES Edupak Materials Database License 40”-50” Monitor to Improve Teaching of CMM Software Upgrade MCOSMOS CMM Software on CMM Add SolidWorks Translator to MCOSMOS

Current Technologies Sufficient

Modeling and Simulation Software Technology Quality Inspection Equipment

1

CMM Software (3) CMM fixture plates with assorted clamps (3) Gage Pin Sets Range: .0625 - .750. (3) 81 piece Gage Block Sets Dial Bore Gages and Ring Gage Master N/A Additional Tooling to Support CNC Machines PDM - File Management Software Upgrade/Replace 30 Computers Not Done During Program Expansion

Robotic Technology Equipment Tooling Software (Other)

Findings Student enrollment in the Associate Degree and the following four (4) Certificate of Completion programs in the MET have doubled since 2012 as a result of increased capacity and procurement of industry aligned machine technologies, software and tooling. Program

Associate of Science (AS) Computer Numerical Control Operations Computer Aided Drafting/ Computer Aided Manufacturing Computer-Aided Drafting Computer Aided Manufacturing

Total

Enrollment 132 35 7 4 3 181

The MET program has state-of-the art manufacturing technologies, design and software capability and has developed curriculum to teach the new technical competencies that are required to perform more complex design and manufacturing processes and operations. The MET program has strong technology capability using Rapid Prototype equipment, and processes and instruction in quality assurance has been accelerated with the purchase of a Programmable Coordinate Measuring Machine. Additional and a diverse array of tooling are needed to support the instructional program. Similar to the vocational technical high schools, the MET is reliant on industry donations to supplement their tooling, stock, and consumable materials. The opening of two new interactive CAD classrooms has added significantly to the instructional resources available to the MET program and is a positive response to the program’s need for infrastructure and programming expansion on the design side of the program.

Recommendations The PMRAP partnership needs to continually promote the criticality of the Mechanical Engineering Technology program and its significance to industry’s ability to grow their business in a competitive and changing global economy. The PMRAP partnership and the broader advanced manufacturing industry need to continually advocate for State funding and increased use of appropriate grant funding to ensure that the MET program graduates are equipped with industry aligned technical competencies. 2

The PMRAP partnership will work with the MET Department Chair and industry partners to facilitate the donation of tooling, metal stock, and assorted materials to supplement the instructional program. Budget permitting, please comment on the status of the faculty in the Mechanical Engineering Technology Program (MET) over the next five (5) years.

Responses Condition Remain Constant Retirements - Number:

Projected Status/Comments

Full Time Faculty: Six (6) Potential for 3 Retirements in Next Five Years

Faculty Reductions- Number: Faculty Increases- Number: Not Certain of Projected Status (Other)

Findings There are six (6) full time faculty in the Mechanical Engineering Technology program. This is an increase of two faculty members since 2012. It is anticipated that up to three full time faculty members may be retiring in the next five years. Given this reality, it is important to begin discussion on developing appropriate recruitment strategies that will allow for program continuity and expansion. Developing an expanded applicant pool of interested and qualified contingent faculty to teach specific courses in the broad Mechanical Engineering Technology day/evening program will ensure for greater flexibility in scheduling courses and offering new courses that respond to changing industry demands and technical requirements. The Dean of the School of Engineering Technologies and the MET program Department Chair anticipate no planned reductions in staff, budgets permitting, through the 2016-2017 academic year. There is a need to schedule common meeting/planning time for MET full time faculty and the contingent faculty to facilitate discussion and deliberation on curriculum content, future program development, infrastructure needs, and industry engagement in the MET program.

Recommendations The PMRAP partnership and the broader advanced manufacturing industry, led by the Western Massachusetts Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association, must continually advocate with the local State legislative delegation for increased State support for the community college system, and in particular for Associate degree and Certificate programs that have a proven record of employing graduates in career pathway employment positions related to their degree/certificate program. Develop and implement a scheduled series of meetings between MET full time faculty and MET contingent faculty to facilitate discussion and deliberation on a myriad of program related issues leading to a more coordinated and comprehensive delivery of instructional services. 3

Replacing retiring MET faculty members and identifying a board pool of qualified and flexible contingent faculty should be included in strategic planning discussions on future program direction. The WMNTMA and the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County, Inc. should be included in selected aspects of the planning process. Please describe any desired curriculum modifications or new directions that you would like to institute that balances workforce development needs with traditional academic models to provide students with the competencies they will need to meet the future technological requirements of the advanced manufacturing industry?

Responses Curriculum Modifications or New Directions Comments: MET will accelerate relationships with advanced manufacturing companies to increase the number of graduates from the CNC Operations Certificate Program who obtain career related employment opportunities following completion of the certificate program.

Findings The MET faculty believes it is important to dialogue and deliberate on the following issues that would add value to current and future course offerings, create new instructional delivery models, and provide students and incumbent employees with the competencies to meet the future technological requirements of the advanced manufacturing industry: 1. Placement of Graduates from the CNC Certificate Program 2. Industry Recognized Certifications 3. Enhanced Assessment of Incoming Students

Recommendations The MET faculty, working in collaboration with the PMRAP partnership, and representatives from the regional advanced manufacturing industry should investigate employment opportunities for graduates from the CNC certificate program. The MET faculty and the PMRAP partnership should collaborate to continue to identify national best practices that are being implemented at the community college level in mechanical/ manufacturing programs that also focus on workforce development as a key component of a comprehensive educational design and delivery model.

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Please indicate (√) if any of the following issues impact the future direction of instruction in the MET program.

Responses Education/Workforce Issues Attracting and advancing a more diverse population of technology students.

(√) (√)

Developing curriculum that produces a coherent sequence of classes, laboratories, and work-based educational experiences. Creating more professional development in effective learning and pedagogical methods for teaching older students/workers.

(√)

Developing Associate/Certificate pathway programs for incumbent employees. Implementing new approaches to provide basic computer literacy skills to nontraditional students.

(√) (√)

The current profile of the students enrolled in the MET program reflects the diversity of the broad geographical community served by STCC. There has been a continued increase in dislocated workers seeking to acquire the technical competencies and credentials to transition to a career pathway in advanced manufacturing. The MET program faculty is acutely aware of the importance of the need to continue to adapt to the learning style of older students/workers, and recognize the importance of developing creative pedagogical strategies to respond to this increasing educational reality. The Mechanical Engineering Technology program is a critical partner in the PMRAP Incumbent Employee Training program and continues to conduct college credit courses that are providing value-added technical competencies to employees of the regions advanced manufacturing industry. The MET program faculty has implemented curriculum modifications and is exploring staffing adjustments to provide basic computer literacy skills to a growing number of non-traditional students and incumbent employees, particularly dislocated workers in need of career pathway re-training.

Recommendations Given the increased number of students enrolling in Certificate programs, the MET faculty should continue to review curriculum content in order to ensure that the competencies are aligned with industry requirements and standards. The PMRAP partnership must continue to support the faculty in all aspects of their program and ensure that the faculty has access to industry partners and resources that can improve course content and assist graduates in obtaining employment following completion of their program. The PMRAP partnership and the MET program faculty both full time and contingent should collaborate on modifying/developing courses that are aligned with the technical competency needs of a growing number of incumbent employees/students who are enrolling in courses leading to an Associate’s degree or a Certificate of Completion. 5

The PMRAP partnership and the MET program faculty should review program admissions and instructional protocols to develop initiatives that will respond to the basic computer literacy needs of incoming students, particularly a growing population of dislocated workers and incumbent employees pursuing degree granting courses. Please indicate (√) the activities that could support your professional development and that you may be interested in pursuing. (Please list Top 3 Activities in Priority Order).

Responses Activity Paid Summer Internship/Employment Industry Sponsored Training Programs/Seminars Company Tours /Events Shadowing Days at Company Industry Speakers Program at MET (Other)

2014 1 2 3

2012 1 2 3

Findings Paid Summer Internship/Employment for faculty has emerged in the 2014 survey as the top priority for supporting professional development for MET faculty. Participating in Industry Sponsored Training Programs/Seminars continues to be a high priority as a professional development activity that MET faculty believe would enhance their technical knowledge, improve their instructional content, and allow them to remain current with industry requirements and standards. Tours of regional advanced manufacturing companies and attendance at selected company events is occurring, and allows the faculty the opportunity to view manufacturing processes directly on the factory floor and results in faculty incorporating observed technologies into the MET program curriculum.

Recommendations The PMRAP partnership should coordinate with the advanced manufacturing companies to identify and facilitate Paid Summer Internship/Employment for MET faculty that will enhance their professional development. The PMRAP partnership should connect MET faculty with representatives of advanced manufacturing companies to facilitate teacher tours and participation in company/industrywide events that will increase their knowledge of new technologies and future innovation.

6

Which of the following career related activities/supports are presently available to the students in the Associate Degree/Certificate program? If not currently available, which activities/supports would you like to be available to the students?

Responses Activities/Supports

Currently Available

Desired

(√)

Job Shadowing

(√) Limited

Paid/ Unpaid For-Credit Internships

(√)

Summer Employment at Manufacturing Companies

(√)

Industry Speakers Program (Other)

Findings Summer employment positions at manufacturing companies would provide students with practical work experience and financial support and strengthen their commitment to pursue advanced manufacturing as a career pathway. Job shadowing opportunities would extend the MET classroom/laboratory education experience and provide students with scheduled opportunities to observe advanced manufacturing processes and operations and meet company representatives who may be source points for future employment opportunities.

Recommendations The PMRAP partnership should coordinate with the advanced manufacturing companies and the MET faculty to identify summer employment positions at manufacturing companies and facilitate a process to connect students to potential employers. The PMRAP partnership should connect MET faculty with representatives of advanced manufacturing companies to implement job shadowing program that will provide students with additional learning experiences that will complement their educational program. Please comment on additional opportunities that the PMRAP partnership could assist with to improve or expand the infrastructure of the Mechanical Engineering Technology Program that will result in a highly educated workforce of both new and incumbent employees.

Responses No Additional Comments.

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Appendix

Your Connection to Workforce Development

Precision Manufacturing Regional Alliance Project (PMRAP) Educational Infrastructure Capacity Survey Machine Tool Technology Program Introduction The Educational Infrastructure Capacity Survey is intended to assess the present capacity of the Machine Tool Technology Program in the Pioneer Valley Region’s seven (7) vocational technical/comprehensive high schools to continue to deliver industry-aligned education and training programs that produce skilled and adaptive individuals who are prepared to work in technologicallyevolving advanced manufacturing settings now and in the future.

Machine Tool Technology Program-Vocational Technical/Comprehensive High Schools 1. If funding or procurement sources were available, please describe any equipment purchases, enhancements, or upgrades from the following basic categories that would strengthen your Machine Tool Technology Program. Category CNC Machines

Rapid Prototype Machine Wire EDM 3 D Printers Robotic Technology Equipment Quality Inspection Equipment Tooling Software Programs (Specify) (Other)

Description of Desired Equipment Needs

2. Budget permitting, please comment on the status of the teachers in the Machine Tool Technology Program over the next five (5) years. Condition Remain Constant Retirements - Number: Staff Reductions- Number: Staff Increases- Number: Not Certain of Projected Status (Other)

Projected Status/Comments

3. Please indicate (√) which of the following career related activities/supports are currently available to the students Machine Tool Technology Program. If not currently available, which activities/supports would you like to be available to the students? Activities/Supports

Currently Available

Cooperative Education Program

Make Available

Company Tours/Events Summer Employment at Manufacturing Companies Part Time After- School/ Saturday Employment Articulation Agreements with Post-Secondary Institutions

(Other) 4. Please identify the personal professional development activities that could enhance your instructional content / pedagogy, and that you may be interested in pursuing with the support of the PMRAP partnership (Please list Top 3 Activities in Priority Order). Activity Paid Summer Internship/Employment Industry Sponsored Training Programs/Seminars Company Tours /Events Industry Speakers Program at Your School (Other)

Priority

5. Please comment on additional opportunities that the PMRAP partnership could assist with to improve or expand the infrastructure of the Machine Tool Technology Program that will result in a well trained workforce of both new and incumbent employees. Comments: __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for completing the Educational Infrastructure Capacity Survey. October 2014 2

Your Connection to Workforce Development

Precision Manufacturing Regional Alliance Project (PMRAP) Educational Infrastructure Capacity Survey Mechanical Engineering Technology Program Introduction The Educational Infrastructure Capacity Survey is intended to assess the present capacity of the Mechanical Engineering Technology Program (MET) at Springfield Technical Community College, to continue to deliver industry-aligned education and training programs that produce skilled and adaptive individuals who are prepared to work in technologically-evolving advanced manufacturing settings now and in the future.

Mechanical Engineering Technology Program (MET) 1. If funding or procurement sources were available, please describe any equipment/software purchases, enhancements or upgrades from the following basic categories that would strengthen the Mechanical Engineering Technology Program. Description of Desired Equipment Needs

Category CNC Machines Rapid Prototype Machine CAD Related Equipment/Software Modeling and Simulation Software Technology Quality Inspection Equipment Robotic Technology Equipment Tooling Software (Other)

1

2. Budget permitting, please comment on the status of the faculty in the Mechanical Engineering Technology Program (MET) at Springfield Technical Community College over the next five (5) years. Condition Remain Constant Retirements - Number: Faculty Reductions- Number: Faculty Increases- Number: Not Certain of Projected Status (Other)

Projected Status/Comments

3. Please describe any desired curriculum modifications or new directions that you would like to institute that balances workforce development needs with traditional academic models to provide students with the competencies they will need to meet the future technological requirements of the advanced manufacturing industry? Curriculum Modifications or New Directions Comments:

4. Please indicate (√) if any of the following issues impact the future direction of instruction in the MET program. Education/Workforce Issues Attracting and advancing a more diverse population of technology students. Developing curriculum that produces a coherent sequence of classes, laboratories, and work-based educational experiences. Creating more professional development in effective learning and pedagogical methods for teaching older students/workers. Developing Associate/Certificate pathway programs for incumbent employees. Implementing new approaches to provide basic computer literacy skills to nontraditional students. OTHER

2

(√)

5. Please indicate (√) the activities that could support your professional development and that you may be interested in pursuing. (Please list Top 3 Activities in Priority Order). Activity Paid Summer Internship/Employment Industry Sponsored Training Programs/Seminars Company Tours /Events Shadowing Days at Company Industry Speakers Program at MET (Other)

Priority

6. Which of the following career related activities/supports are presently available to the students in your Associate Degree/Certificate program? If not currently available, which activities/supports would you like to be available to the students? Activities/Supports

Currently Available

Job Shadowing

Desired

Paid/ Unpaid For-Credit Internships Summer Employment at Manufacturing Companies

Industry Speakers Program (Other) 7. Please comment on additional opportunities that the PMRAP partnership could assist with to improve or expand the infrastructure of the Mechanical Engineering Technology Program that will result in a highly educated workforce of both new and incumbent employees. Comments: __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for completing the Educational Infrastructure Capacity Survey. October 2014

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CONTACT INFORMATION

For additional information on the Educational Infrastructure Capacity Report, please contact David M. Cruise at 413-755-1362 or [email protected]. For information on the Massachusetts Office of Housing and Economic Development, please visit their web site at http://www.mass.gov/hed/. Information on the Western Massachusetts Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association can be found on their web site at http://www.wmntma.org/

____________________________________________________________________________

1441 Main Street, Springfield, MA ● (P) 413-787-1547 ● (F) 413-755-1364

www.rebhc.org