The Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing: Continued Leadership for Systemic Change

该项目是下一代制造区域中心（RCNGM）的延续。技术学院（COT）代表康涅狄格州所有12所公立社区学院，与6所大学和17所技术和综合高中合作。这一伙伴关系包括以CT商业和工业协会（CBIA）为代表的3000多家制造企业。超过250名社区大学教师、75名四年制大学教师以及500名初中和高中教师参与了COT-RCNGM，直接影响了5.9万名学生。当地、地区和全国制造业劳动力调查数据显示，需要熟练的制造业人员，特别是在新英格兰。对于使用下一代制造技术的行业，如激光制造、燃料电池技术、3D实体建模和仿真、快速原型制造以及5轴和6轴加工中心，这个问题尤其严重。COT-RCNGM将继续解决关键的区域劳动力需求，并影响21世纪的制造业劳动力。为了使地区制造商保持竞争力，必须在最新的软件、硬件和设备开发方面进行谨慎但实质性的投资。系统集成需要投资，统称为计算机集成制造（CIM）。CIM的特点是高度集成的计算机系统，支持整个组织及其供应链中制造的所有方面。COT-RCNGM有很好的定位，有经验丰富的员工，教师和行业支持，追求CIM的发展。COT-RCNGM已被证明的相互加强的目标模式始于持续的教师发展，利用行业实习指导成功的课程开发。强有力的衔接协议加强了这一点，最终针对代表性不足的人口进行了非常有效的征聘和留用工作。在行业劳动力需求的推动下，这些努力对制造业项目的招生产生了显著影响；例如，制造及相关技术方面的57门新课程、9个学分证书和12个学士学位选项已经开发和实施。随着制造技术的不断发展，COT-RCNGM(1)为教师提供专业发展机会，以满足21世纪的劳动力需求；(2)提供下一代课程，包括建模、仿真和CIM；(3)加强现有的和新的2+2+2衔接协议；(4)结合针对女性和少数民族的新招生和留校模式。RCNGM已经建立了一个网站，包括为学生、家长和教育工作者提供的招聘材料。该中心赞助教师的论文，演讲和参与区域和国家会议和研讨会。该中心在针对学生和家长的研讨会上分发教育工作者的职业工具包、小册子、小册子和视频。该中心正在根据协同伙伴关系（例如女童军和专业协会）促进招募代表性不足的人口，以确保可持续性。由于该中心正在与其他9个ATE中心和6个ATE项目合作，因此其更广泛的影响是区域和国家的。该中心回应了来自全国各地的招聘材料的要求，这些材料被改编或用作模板，以创建当地的招聘工作。该中心通过在整个新英格兰地区传播行之有效的做法，正在扩大和加强其区域影响。通过与社区学院网络的合作，该中心正在协助培养美国在21世纪的全球竞争中必不可少的劳动力。

This project continues the regional center for next-generation manufacturing (RCNGM). The Colleges of Technology (COT) represents all 12 public Connecticut community colleges in partnership with six universities and 17 technical and comprehensive high schools. Included in this partnership are over 3000 manufacturing firms represented by the CT Business and Industry Association (CBIA). Over 250 community-college faculty, 75 faculty members of four-year institutions, along with 500 middle- and high-school teachers, have been engaged by the COT-RCNGM, directly impacting 59,000 students. Skilled manufacturing personnel are needed, particularly in New England, as documented in local, regional, and national manufacturing-workforce survey data. This problem is especially acute for industries using next generation manufacturing technologies such as laser manufacturing, fuel-cell technologies, 3D solid modeling and simulations, rapid prototyping, and 5- and 6-axis machining centers. The COT-RCNGM continues to address critical regional workforce needs and impact the 21st century manufacturing workforce. Intellectual MeritFor regional manufacturers to remain competitive, prudent but substantial investments must be made in the latest software, hardware, and equipment developments. Investment is needed in systems integration collectively known as Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM). CIM is characterized by highly integrated computer systems that support all aspects of manufacturing across an entire organization and its supply chain. The COT-RCNGM is well positioned, with experienced staff, faculty and industry support, to pursue the evolution of CIM. COT-RCNGM's proven model of mutually reinforcing goals begins with ongoing faculty development using industry externships to guide successful curriculum development. This is augmented by strong articulation agreements, culminating in highly effective recruitment and retention efforts targeting underrepresented populations. These efforts, driven by industry workforce needs, have had a marked impact on manufacturing program enrollments; for example, 57 new courses, nine credit certificates and 12 A.S. degree options in manufacturing and related technologies have already been developed and implemented. As manufacturing technologies continue to evolve, the COT-RCNGM is (1) providing professional development opportunities for faculty members that address 21st century workforce needs; (2) providing access to next generation curricula to include modeling, simulation, and CIM; (3) strengthening existing and creating new 2+2+2 articulation agreements; and (4) incorporating new models of student recruitment and retention that target women and minority populations.Broader Impact The RCNGM has already developed a web presence that includes recruitment materials for students, parents, and educators. The center is sponsoring faculty members' papers, presentations and participation at regional and national conferences and workshops. The center is disseminating educators' career kits, pamphlets, brochures, and videos at seminars targeting students and their parents. The center is facilitating recruitment of underrepresented populations based on synergistic partnerships (e.g., the Girls Scouts and professional associations) to ensure sustainability. The broader impact is both regional and national since the center is working with nine other ATE centers and six ATE projects. The center responds to requests from around the country for recruitment materials to be adapted or used as a template to create local recruitment efforts. The center is broadening and strengthening its regional impact by disseminating proven practices throughout New England. Through collaborating with a network of community colleges, the center is assisting in the creation of the workforce essential for the United States to compete globally in the 21st century.