Concrete Industry Management: Accelerated Program Expansion (APEX)

0438679本奖项授予田纳西州立大学中部，以支持下述活动36个月。合作伙伴包括田纳西中部州立大学(牵头机构)、田纳西州交通部、国际美国混凝土学会、美国混凝土路面协会、美国混凝土承包商协会、混凝土基础协会、Hanley Wood、LLD、国家混凝土砌块协会、国家预制混凝土协会、国家预制混凝土协会、波特兰水泥协会、预制/预应力混凝土研究所、Primedia公司和Tilt-Up混凝土协会。主要目标是培养既了解混凝土混合物的化学又了解混凝土业务的技术混凝土专业人员。拟议的活动将解决混凝土行业的技术劳动力需求。美国没有其他四年制院校解决混凝土行业对受过技术培训的专业人员的劳动力需求。目标包括：(1)选择两所拥有强大的工程技术课程并有潜力建立强有力的行业合作伙伴关系的综合性大学；(2)在每个机构创建一个具体的行业管理(CIM)计划，培训教师、管理人员和具体专业人员，建立完整的CIM计划和课程；以及(3)协助新计划制定招生计划并建立牢固的行业关系。为期四年的CIM课程将以科学和数学为基础，并开设大量的商业课程。潜在的经济影响混凝土行业是一个价值1300亿美元的多方面行业，是价值9310亿美元的建筑业的基础。混凝土行业包括预拌、砖石、预应力、预制、承包设备制造和材料供应商，仅举几例。混凝土行业雇佣了大约200万名工人，从低技能工人到博士。研究科学家。该行业正在努力通过插入技术来实现现代化。该行业估计，拥有混凝土技术工程学位并了解该行业商业方面知识的经理职位有1000个空缺。到目前为止，一所院校每年约有50名毕业生。这项工作将提供额外两所授予学位的院校，以提供支援这个行业所需的人力资源，并保持这个行业在全球范围内的竞争力。这项计划的学术价值，在於继续为混凝土行业发展技术课程，配合适当的工商管理课程组合，让业界代表参与课程的设计，该课程会随着行业的技术发展而不断发展。这项活动的更广泛影响，集中在维持混凝土/建造业所需的教育基础设施，以及提供多元化的劳动人口。

0438679CheathamThis award is to Middle Tennessee State University to support the activity described below for 36 months. The proposal was submitted in response to the Partnerships for Innovation Program Solicitation (NSF-04556).PartnersThe partners include Middle Tennessee State University (Lead Institution), Tennessee Department of Transportation, American Concrete Institute International, American Concrete Pavement Association, American Society of Concrete Contractors, Concrete Foundations Association, Hanley Wood, LLD, National Concrete Masonry Association, National Precast Concrete Association, National Readymix Association, Portland Cement Association, Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, Primedia, Inc., and Tilt-up Concrete Association. The primary objective is to train technical concrete professionals who understand both the chemistry of concrete mixtures and the concrete business. The proposed activities will address the technical workforce needs in the concrete industry. No other 4-year institution in the nation is addressing the workforce needs for technically trained professionals within the concrete industry. The goals include: (1) select two comprehensive universities with strong engineering technology programs and potential for strong industry partnerships; (2) create a Concrete Industry Management (CIM) program at each institution, train faculty, administrators, and concrete professionals, establish the CIM program complete with curriculum; and (3) assist the new programs in developing a student-recruitment program and building strong industry relationships. The four-year CIM curriculum will be based on science and mathematics, with a heavy dose of business courses.Potential Economic ImpactThe concrete industry is a multi-faceted 130 billion dollar industry that is the foundation of the 931 billion dollar construction industry. The concrete industry includes ready-mix, masonry, pre-stressed, pre-cast, contracting equipment manufacturing and materials suppliers to name a few. The concrete industry employs approximately 2 million workers, ranging from low-skilled laborers to PhD. Research scientists. The industry is making an effort to modernize with technology insertion. The industry estimates that there are 1000 openings for managers with an engineering degree in concrete technology and a knowledge of the business side of the industry. To date, approximately 50 graduates are produced per year from one institution. This effort will provide two additional degree-granting institutions to provide the manpower needed to support this industry and keep it competitive worldwide.The intellectual merit of the project lies in the continued development of a technical curriculum for the concrete industry with an appropriate mix of business management courses, the involvement of industry representatives in design of curriculum that continues to evolve with the increasingly technical evolution of the industry.The broader impacts of the activity concentrate on the education infrastructure needed to sustain the concrete/construction industry, as well as providing a diverse workforce.