Innovations in Advanced Machining Technician Education

全国各地都存在熟练机械加工技术人员的严重短缺，包括犹他州的贝尔河地区。造成这一短缺的因素包括退休、低失业率，以及由于制造业的创新而工人所需要的不断变化的技能。该项目旨在提高熊河地区下一代熟练机械师的素质、能力和数量。为了实现这一目标，该项目将设计一种新的精简加工技术证书，以满足行业对更多计算机数控(NC)经验的需求。Cnc使用计算机和软件来控制机床，如铣床、车床和刀具。这是一项在制造业中日益重要的技术。新的机械加工技术证书将与行业合作伙伴共同开发。它将专注于通过现实世界中基于问题的机械加工项目来吸引和支持学生。该项目旨在购买新设备并提供额外的教师培训，为高中毕业的新工人培养先进的制造业劳动力，以及提高当地现有机械师的技能。这样，它将有助于国家对先进制造的高技能技术劳动力的需求。该项目将通过包括创新先进制造技术的认证，如五轴数控机床、可编程坐标测量机(CMM)和机器人技术，使加工技术计划与当地行业需求保持一致。通过与地区高中合作，该项目旨在成为应用技术学院和中学如何合作，以增强人们对先进制造业高薪职业的认识，以及相关的可堆叠证书如何支持进入大学的典范。该项目将在地方和地区会议上传播新设计的行业课程、招聘战略和成果，例如犹他州系统技术学院校长会议，以及全国会议，包括高级技术教育首席研究员会议。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。

A critical shortage in skilled machining technicians exists across the nation, including in Utah's Bear River region. Factors that contribute to this shortage include retirements, low unemployment rates, and the changing skills that workers need because of innovation in the manufacturing sector. This project aims to increase the quality, capacity, and number of the next generation of skilled machinists in the Bear River Region. To achieve this goal, the project will design a new streamlined Machining Technology certificate aligned to industry needs for more Computer Numerical Control (CNC) experience. CNC uses computers and software to control machines, such as milling machines, lathes, and cutters. It is a technology that is increasingly important in manufacturing. The new Machining Technology certificate will be co-developed with industry partners. It will focus on engaging and supporting students through real world, problem-based machining projects. The project intends to acquire new equipment and to provide additional faculty training to prepare new workers from high school for the advanced manufacturing workforce, as well as to upskill local incumbent machinists. In this way, it will contribute to the national need for a highly skilled technological workforce for advanced manufacturing.The project will align the Machining Technology program with local industry needs by including certification in innovative advanced manufacturing technologies, such as 5-axis CNC machines, programmable Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM), and robotics. By working with area high schools, the project intends to serve as a model for how applied technical colleges and secondary schools can collaborate to strengthen awareness of high-paying careers in advanced manufacturing, as well as how the relevant stackable credentials can support a pathway towards college. The project will disseminate newly designed industry courses, recruitment strategies, and outcomes at local and regional meetings, such as the Utah System of Technical Colleges Presidents meeting, and at national meetings, including the Advanced Technological Education principal investigator meeting. 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.