Plastics Engineering Technology Scholarships

该项目通过在六所社区大学实施一项计划来增加北卡罗莱纳东部训练有素的塑料技术人员的数量，该计划正在改善经济困难学生的教育机会，增加从高中过渡到塑料工程技术（PET）副学士学位水平的学生的保留率，并改善旨在招募和帮助六个县地区PET学生的学生服务计划。通过涉及塑料工业人员和服务，该项目还加强了财团的伙伴关系，并有助于刺激该地区萧条的经济。该项目协助北卡罗莱纳东部塑料技术联盟，或ENCPTC (NSF拨款DUE 0101468)，努力提供训练有素的塑料技术人员。为了实现上述目标，该项目的具体目标是扩大、完善和重新调整招生工作的重点，以发展350名“感兴趣”的高中生的目标群体；其中，20%或70名学生将被选中接受学生支持服务，包括经济援助。这70名经济困难或代表性不足的一年级学生将获得学生服务和经济支持，以保持二年级学生80%的保留率。最终，所有项目完成者（在塑料技术领域）的就业率将达到90%。PETS项目主任（同时也是ENCPTC网站主任）和招聘人员/导师与六所学院的财政援助主任一起工作，为大约295名学生提供为期4年的奖学金或津贴。该计划使学生能够在证明自己的潜力并达到某些里程碑时逐步增加他们的援助金额。

This project is increasing the pool of well-trained plastics technicians in eastern North Carolina by implementing a program at six community colleges that is improving educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged students, increasing retention of students transitioning from high school to the Plastics Engineering Technology (PET) associate degree level, and improving student services programs designed to recruit and assist PET students in the six county area. By involving plastics industry personnel and services, this project is also strengthening the partnerships of the consortium and helping to stimulate the depressed economy of the region. This project assists the Eastern North Carolina Plastics Technology Consortium, or ENCPTC (NSF grant DUE 0101468), in its efforts to provide well-trained plastics technicians.To achieve the above goals, the specific objective of this project is to expand, refine, and refocus recruitment efforts to develop a target pool of 350 "interested" high school students; from which, 20% or 70 students are being selected to receive student support services, including financial assistance. This population of 70 economically disadvantaged or under-represented first year students are being provided student services and economic support in order to maintain an 80% retention rate for second year students. Ultimately, a 90% employment rate (in plastics technology) of all program completers will be achieved.The PETS Project Director, (who also serves as ENCPTC Site Director) and the Recruiter/Mentor work with the Financial Aid Directors of the six colleges to provide approximately 295 students with scholarships or stipends over a 4-year grant period. This program enables students to progressively increase their amount of assistance as they prove their potential and reach certain milestones.