Positioning the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce for Department of Defense Technological Superiority
Abstract
Domestic manufacturing is critical for our national defense. Jobs availability in the manufacturing engineering and technical workforce and overcoming the barriers of successful manufacturing technology transition are critical for our nation’s economic and manufacturing strength. To ensure that a strong defense industrial base is ready and accessible, a trained and skilled workforce is required. A focus on enhancing manufacturing engineering coursework is critical to positioning the current and next-generation manufacturing workforce’s ability to produce equipment and systems for the Department of Defense (DoD). The National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), with partners The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and Thomas P Miller & Associates (TPMA), will address this challenge by leveraging our manufacturing expertise and our broad knowledge of advanced manufacturing along with our trusted network of partners to solve the workforce training challenges currently facing the defense manufacturing supply chain. Our network of partners includes NCDMM Alliance Partners, America Makes Membership, and SME and Tooling U-SME Partner Networks. This proposal addresses the need to better position the workforce to produce military systems and components that ensure technological superiority for the DoD. Leveraging Tooling U-SME’s proven methodology to identify and fill gaps in training, its ability to scale a program nationally, and tailor locally to address geographically diverse needs, we will increase the capacity of the country’s workforce in advanced manufacturing technologies such as additive manufacturing and a variety of associated enabling technologies such as: machine learning, intelligent sensing and design optimization. Key steps to accomplish this are to: a) identify educational gaps (Section 1.2.1), b) audit the stackable credentials landscape (Section 1.2.2), c) design educational classes to address the high priority gaps (Section 1.2.3), d) update the existing relative bodies of knowledge (BOK) and competency models (Section 1.3.1), e) develop and deliver new eLearning content (Section 1.3.2), f) develop and deliver instructor-led training (Section 1.3.3), g) develop appropriate assessments to measure learning outcomes (Section 1.3.4), h) integration of developed content into existing networks (Section 1.3.5), i) develop and build a comprehensive deployment and implementation model for long-term program sustainability and expansion (Sections 1.4, 1.5, 1.6).
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 17, 2018
- Source ID
- N000141812881
Entities
People
- Bill Walch
Organizations
- National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy