Norco College Apprenticeship Program

自动化正在影响世界经济的许多部门，从运输到制造业。这种自动化可能会导致低技能工作的流失，也会为新的、通常是更高技能的工作创造机会。一些研究表明，南加州内陆地区60%以上的工作是可以自动化的，因此面临风险。为了缓解这种潜在的失业，河滨社区学院区/Norco校区将在先进制造自动化领域开发一个基于工作的学习计划。该计划将包括认可的学徒、课程、证书和学位途径。学徒制是雇主寻求建立劳动力队伍和学生追求更好的职业机会的潜在解决方案。诺科学院将建立并扩大与雇主的合作伙伴关系，并开发与工作学习和学徒制相关的课程。这个学徒计划旨在为学生提供自动化和制造方面的技术知识基础，以及在行业中的实践经验。该项目旨在通过以下方式回应对高素质自动化技术人员的需求：(1)制定全面的学徒计划，培训技术人员以填补新兴的自动化相关技术职业；(2)与行业建立伙伴关系，确保行业需求得到满足，并提高雇主参与度；(3)针对代表性不足的学生群体（包括女性）实施新的策略，以支持学生的招生、保留和结业；(4)支持现有的学徒计划；(5)鼓励在全国范围内实施经认证的学徒计划。这些努力将与州和联邦学徒机构、当地劳动力发展委员会和加州社区学院系统协调，目标是在该地区制定系统的学徒机会方法。该项目有可能吸引新的人才进入正在努力克服技能差距的行业，同时增加自动化制造业中代表性不足的人口的参与。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Automation is affecting many sectors of the world economy, from transportation to manufacturing. Such automation can result in loss of lower skill jobs, as well as create opportunities for new, often higher skill jobs. Some studies suggest that more than 60% of the jobs in the inland region of southern California are automatable and, therefore at risk. To buffer this potential job loss, the Riverside Community College District/Norco Campus will develop a work-based learning program in the field of advanced manufacturing automation. This program will include accredited apprenticeships, coursework, certificates, and degree pathways. Apprenticeships are a potential solution for employers seeking to build their workforce and for students pursuing greater career opportunities. Norco College will establish and expand partnerships with employers and develop curriculum related to work-based learning and apprenticeship. This apprenticeship project aims to provide students with a foundation of technical knowledge in automation and manufacturing, as well as hands-on experiences in the industry.The project aims to respond to the need for highly-qualified technicians in automation by: (1) developing a comprehensive apprenticeship program to train technicians to fill emerging automation-related technical occupations; (2) building partnerships with industry to ensure industry needs are being met, and to increase employer engagement; (3) implementing new strategies to support student recruitment, retention, and completion targeting underrepresented student populations (including women); (4) supporting existing apprenticeship programs; and (5) encouraging the implementation of accredited apprenticeship programs nationwide. These efforts will be coordinated with the state and federal apprenticeship agencies, the local Workforce Development Boards, and the California Community College system, with the goal of developing a systematic approach to apprenticeship opportunities in the region. The project has the potential to draw new talent into industries that are struggling to overcome the skills-gap, while increasing participation of populations underrepresented in the automation manufacturing industries.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.