Lasers and Fiber Optics Regional Center

激光和光纤（LFO）是世纪最先进技术的基础。它们正在推动医疗仪器、光子集成电路、电信技术、激光增材制造、遥感、分析仪器和其他行业的创新。2010年，光基技术对美国国内生产总值的经济影响为7.5万亿美元。美国劳工部预计，从2014年到2024年，每年将需要1,710名LFO技术人员。拥有LFO和光子学课程的美国大学每年只培养300名技术人员。需求几乎是供应的六倍。该项目将支持劳动力的教育，以保持美国在激光和光纤技术方面的世界领先地位。ATE区域中心LASER-TEC建议继续为美国东南部发展LFO劳动力，并将扩大现有的21所合作学院的网络。工业公司网络将扩大，包括来自不同经济部门的公司。目标是：1）增加和加强LFO学术课程，以满足行业需求; 2）为中学教师，大学教师和在职工人创建和提供LFO专业发展计划; 3）为中学，大学和行业开发LFO课程材料; 4）开发，促进和提供推广和宣传计划，以中学STEM教师，顾问，辅导员和管理人员; 5）制定战略和材料，以招募和保留代表性不足的群体，以促进LFO计划的多样性; 6）确定和传播美国东南部LFO技术人员的技能和就业需求。LASER-TEC正在与AIM Photonics、Power America、Advanced Functional Fabrics of America、和其他美国制造学院提供劳动力教育和培训的新技术的发展。

Lasers and fiber optics (LFO) undergird most twenty-first century advanced technologies. They are fueling innovations in medical instrumentation, photonics integrated circuits, telecommunications technologies, laser additive manufacturing, remote sensing, analytical instrumentation, and other industries. The economic impact of light-based technologies on the U.S. gross domestic product was $7.5 trillion in 2010. The Department of Labor projects that 1,710 LFO technicians will be needed annually between 2014 and 2024. U.S. colleges with LFO and photonics programs produce only 300 technicians annually. The demand is almost six times the supply. This project will support the education of the workforce needed to keep the U.S. as the world leader in laser and fiber optics enabled technologies.The ATE Regional Center, LASER-TEC, proposes to continue developing the LFO workforce for the southeastern U.S., and will expand the current network of 21 partner colleges. The industrial corporate network will increase to include companies from different sectors of the economy. The goals are to: 1) Increase and strengthen LFO academic programs to meet industry demand; 2) Create and offer LFO professional development programs for secondary school teachers, college faculty, and incumbent workers; 3) Develop LFO curriculum materials for secondary schools, colleges, and industry; 4) Develop, promote, and deliver outreach and awareness programs to secondary STEM teachers, advisors, counselors, and administrators; 5) Develop strategies and materials to recruit and retain underrepresented groups to promote diversity in LFO programs; and 6) Identify and disseminate LFO technicians' skillsets and employment needs in the southeastern U.S. LASER-TEC is working with AIM Photonics, Power America, Advanced Functional Fabrics of America, and other Manufacturing USA Institutes to provide the workforce education and training as new technologies are developed.