Program Proposal for the
Wilson Academy of Applied
Technology
Jennifer Lantz, Wilson Economic Development Council, Executive Director Tracy Hottovy, BD Rx Inc. , Director of Operations and Vice Chair,
Industrial Management Council
Recent College Graduates • Under the age of 25
• 2013 Unemployment rate 16.2%, twice as high as the overall
unemployment rate
• 2013 Underemployment Rate 36.7%, performing work where a college degree is not needed
Two STEM Economies in USA
• Professional STEM
Linked to Universities
Creates American Innovations • Technical STEM
Linked to High Schools,
Vocational Schools & Community Colleges
Implements American Innovations
STEM Economies
Manufacturing Job Multipliers
For every new job in traditional manufacturing 1.4 additional jobs are created.
For every new job in innovation/advanced
manufacturing 5 additional jobs are created.
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, “US News and World Reports ” The New Geography of Jobs ,
50% of STEM jobs don’t require a 4 year college degree; a certificate, associates degree or work experience will suffice in creating a qualified workforce.
Current Workforce Wilson NC
Wilson Economic
Development Council Survey Key Statistics
• In 2011 Wilson County’s
unemployment rate was 13.1 %, yet local manufacturers had over 500 jobs that they could not find qualified
applicants to fill.
• Those jobs ranged from entry level production to highly
skilled craftsmen.
• The average age of critical STEM technicians in Wilson plants is mid 50s.
• Wilson has an in migration of 3,000 workers daily
• Wilson has the 7th highest
average weekly wage in the state
• Over 22% of our workforce is employed in manufacturing • Every manufacturing plant in
2020
The USA will face a shortage of 38 million workers between 2020 and 2050.
Economies that support innovation with technically skilled workers will flourish while those without will struggle to survive.
The Wilson Academy of Applied
Technology will graduate its first 75 students in 2020.
Advances in Manufacturing Today
• Industrial automation less reliance on unskilled manual labor, more reliance on critical thinking
• Information Technology is used widely for data processing slower professional job growth in many areas
• Wide use of HMI’s Human Machine Interface vs. person to person
• Robotics, PLC and computer controlled equipment magnification of issues when errors are encountered
• Automation is relied upon for increased productivity in general
results in smaller teams, more adaptive and able to cross train, and they need to be more reliable
Today’s Hiring Challenges
May Lead to Tomorrow’s Competitive Shortfalls
“Globalization” has increased demand for advanced manufacturing methods allowing us to compete. • Competition requires higher productivity within the first few weeks on the job
• The US is entering an era of an “aging workforce demographics”
• Today’s skilled technical labor pool was predominantly trained “On The Job”
• In the past, training occurred at a pace equal to industrial technology advancement
• Less of the US workforce is growing up in rural settings
• Where and how will the needed basic applied technical skills be acquired and taught: o At Home?
o In service sector jobs?
o By attending a two year or four year program?
o Or within a new approach to education and skill development?
How can we adapt our traditional educational model to develop basic technical skills earlier than in the past to support the rapidly expanding requirements of advanced manufacturing in the US?
How can industry and educational institutions form better alignment in developing tomorrows workforce?
Today’s Hiring Challenges
Wilson’s Industrial Management Council (IMC) Findings:
• Difficulty in hiring technicians and industrial maintenance staff
• There’s a growing need for entry level semi-technical staff
o Ready and able to be productive – first few weeks
o A trainable pool with “basic technical skill set” for tomorrow’s higher skilled vacancies
• Less jobs in manufacturing are being created which require 4-year graduates
o Need more development of applied skills
o 2-year technical programs need more relevancy to local industry
• Open positions require an extended recruiting time and from longer distances
• Good candidates on paper often have difficult time adapting and relating to requirements in a manufacturing culture. “Soft Skills” are important too:
Work within teams Take on responsibility
Be reliable and dependable Embrace changing requirements Apply critical thinking and problem solving
“We prefer to hire our new employees after they have worked at another company
Today’s Traditional Education System
The Solution
• Create an educational program that
blends the teaching of Foundational, Core Technical, and Occupation-Related skills • Provide this education in an environment
that simulates a modern manufacturing plant
o Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) o Quality Control Management
o Safety Requirements
• Provide students with exposure to
professional opportunities and experience in the occupation of their choice
Workforce Ready Student Foundational Skills Core Technical Skills Occupation -Related Skills Simulated Industry Environment Exposure and Experience
Partnerships
•
Co-designed by:
o
Wilson County Schools
o
Wilson Community College
o
Wilson Economic Development Council
oWilson Industrial Management Council
oIndustry Leaders
Program Components
Students will:
•
Complete a five year early college program
•
Earn high school diploma & Associates of
Applied Science or Associates of Science
Degree
•
Earn industry-recognized certifications
•
Partake in hands-on technical labs
•
Participate in practicum and internship
experiences
Potential Pathways & Certifications
• Applied Engineering Technology
• Automation Engineering Technology
• Mechatronics Engineering Technology
• Mechanical Engineering Technology
• College Transfer
• North Carolina Career Readiness Certification
• OSHA Certification
• Six Sigma Certification
