Retooling A Machine Tool Technician Program In North Central Wisconsin to Support Diversity, Flexibility, and Accessibility

威斯康星州中北部地区是机床技术员工作的热点，是全国平均水平的两倍多。该项目来自中北技术学院，将整合研究和教育，将修订后的课程与针对非传统人群的有针对性的推广相结合，以提高机床技术员项目的成果。在这个为期三年的项目中，将招募30名学生来完成证书，这些证书将导致高需求的技术人员职业。北中央技术学院将修改其机床计划，以(1)包括行业相关技能，(2)采用灵活的时间表，(3)为教职员工提供文化相关的专业发展，(4)通过学院的先进制造和新兴技术移动实验室进行推广，以及(5)建立同行/近同行指导。因此，学院打算增加机床技术员项目学生的招聘、入学、结业和就业，重点是东南亚/苗族血统的学生。学生可以选择获得多达四种可堆叠证书，从4学分证书到58学分学位。该项目的总体目标是增加威斯康星州中部熟练的机床技术人员队伍。预计在三年期间将招收30名学生，特别侧重于扩大在该领域代表性明显不足的人口的专业参与。该项目的目标是提高非传统学生对机床技术人员教育和职业道路的认识、获取和注册，重点是东南亚/苗族成年人。目前的课程将被审查和修改，以包括当前的机床技术、文化响应教学、实习和灵活的交付选择。机床项目的教师、顾问、教学助理和其他学生服务人员将参与东南亚/苗族文化的专业发展，以便更好地联系和支持他们的学习。与苗族美国人中心和当地制造业领袖的合作将支持招聘、确定项目导师和社区外展。职场导师将通过分享个人和职业经验，为学生提供指导和鼓励。机床咨询委员会/商业和工业领导小组（BILT）将提供项目监督。项目团队将与区域文化组织、劳动力发展委员会、就业中心和区域机床雇主合作，实施和传播全面的工作。该项目由先进技术教育计划资助，该计划侧重于为推动国家经济的先进技术领域培养技术人员。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。

The north central Wisconsin region is a hotspot for machine tool technician jobs, more than double the national average. This project from Northcentral Technical College will integrate research and education to combine a revised curriculum with targeted outreach to nontraditional populations to improve outcomes in their Machine Tool Technician Program. Over the three-year project, 30 students will be recruited to complete credentials that will lead to high demand technician careers. Northcentral Technical College will revise its Machine Tooling program to (1) include industry relevant skills, (2) adopt flexible scheduling, (3) provide culturally relevant professional development for faculty and staff, (4) perform outreach through the College’s Advanced Manufacturing and Emerging Technologies mobile labs, and (5) establish peer/near-peer mentorships. As a result, the college intends to increase recruitment, matriculation, completion, and employment of students in the Machine Tool Technician program, with an emphasis on students of Southeast Asian/Hmong descent. Students will have the option to earn up to four stackable credentials ranging from a 4-credit certificate to a 58-credit degree. The overall goal of the Project is to increase the skilled machine tool technician workforce in central Wisconsin. Thirty students are expected to enroll over the three-year period with a special focus on broadening participation in the profession of populations that are significantly underrepresented in the field. The project’s objective is to increase awareness of, access to, and enrollment in machine tool technician educational and career pathways for non-traditional students with an emphasis on Southeast Asian/Hmong adults. The current curriculum will be reviewed and modified to include current machine tool technologies, culturally responsive teaching, internships, and flexible delivery options. Machine tool program faculty, advisors, instructional assistants, and other student services personnel will participate in professional development on Southeast Asian/Hmong culture in order to better relate to and support their learning. Collaboration with the Hmong American Center and local manufacturing leaders will support recruitment, identification of project mentors, and community outreach. Workforce mentors will provide guidance and encouragement to students by sharing personal and career experiences. The Machine Tool Advisory Committee/Business and Industry Leadership Team (BILT) will provide project oversight. The project team will collaborate with regional cultural organizations, workforce development boards, job centers, and regional machine tool employers to implement and disseminate the full scope of work. This project is funded by the Advanced Technological Education program that focuses on the education of technicians for the advanced-technology fields that drive the Nation's economy.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.