Pathways to Diesel Technology Careers for High School and Community College Students

在南卡罗来纳州，柴油机械行业预计将在2014至2024年间增长13%。这一增长代表着全州估计每年有6900个职位空缺。例如，南卡罗来纳州狄龙的新国际内陆航运港口创造了对熟练柴油技术人员的迫切需求。为了解决这一地区劳动力差距，该项目将开发一种新的柴油机械课程，该课程结合了双重注册、可堆叠证书、STEM教育、技术技能培训、行业合作伙伴关系、职业意识和就业能力技能发展方面的最佳实践和现有资源。该项目还将侧重于为农村和未得到充分服务的学生提供职业准备。通过为农村高中生在高增长的技术领域就业做好准备，该项目有可能推进创新方法，以满足国家不断变化的就业需求。该项目的成果将在整个南卡罗来纳州传播，并可能成为全美对农村技师教育感兴趣的学习社区的原型。该项目将为柴油技术项目开发一个模式，旨在培养具有最先进教育和成功未来所需技能的高技能技术人员。该项目将使技术学院与农村学区和行业合作伙伴合作，通过以下方式将招收和留住农村学生的障碍降至最低：1)开发职业道路；2)推出新批准和认可的柴油职业学位计划；3)为该地区的柴油技术行业增加合格潜在员工的供应。在这项努力中，该学院将利用其互动视频会议系统，提供与农村高中教室和实验室的虚拟连接。高中九年级学生将参加职业意识模块、行业之旅，并开始双招生STEM重点计算机课程。选择柴油技术途径的十年级学生将继续学习相关技术的在线、混合动力和课堂课程。大三和大四的学生将继续他们的双重注册，并在高中毕业前完成至少一个国家汽车服务卓越研究所的认证。学生将能够过渡到学院的柴油技术专业，并参加以工作为基础的学习和行业见习，以完成他们的学位。项目完成者将准备好与行业合作伙伴合作，从而为国家熟练的技术劳动力做出贡献。该项目由高级技术教育计划资助，该计划专注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NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

In South Carolina, the diesel mechanics industry is expected to grow 13% between 2014 and 2024. This growth represents an estimated 6,900 annual job openings throughout the state. For example, the new international inland shipping port in Dillon, South Carolina, has created an urgent demand for skilled diesel technicians. To address this regional workforce gap, the project will develop a new diesel mechanics curriculum that incorporates best practices and existing resources in dual enrollment, stackable credentials, STEM education, technical skill training, industry partnerships, career awareness, and employability skills development. This project will also focus on providing this career preparation to rural and underserved students. By preparing rural high school students for careers in high-growth technical fields, the project has the potential to advance innovative methods for meeting the nation's changing employment needs. Findings from this project will be disseminated throughout South Carolina and may serve as a prototype model for learning communities interested in rural technician education throughout the United States.This project will develop a model for diesel technology programs intended to produce highly skilled technicians who have a state-of-the art education and the skillset required for a successful future. This project will enable the collaboration of a technical college with rural school districts and industry partners to minimize barriers for the recruitment and retention of rural students by: 1) developing career pathways; 2) launching a newly approved and accredited diesel careers degree program; and 3) increasing the supply of qualified potential employees for the region's diesel technologies industries. In this effort, the college will leverage its interactive videoconferencing systems to provide virtual connections with rural high school classrooms and laboratories. High school ninth grade students will participate in career awareness modules, industry tours, and start dual enrollment STEM-focused computer courses. Tenth grade students selecting the diesel technology pathways will continue with online, hybrid, and classroom courses in relevant technology. Juniors and seniors will continue their dual enrollment and complete at least one National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence certification by high school graduation. Students will be able to transition to the College's Diesel Technology major and participate in work-based learning and industry apprenticeships to complete their degree. Program completers will be ready for work with industry partners, thus contributing to the nation's skilled technical workforce. 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.