Introducing Students to Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Education and Careers in Multidisciplinary Design and Manufacturing Environments
Abstract
Introducing Students to Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Education and Careers in Multidisciplinary Design and Manufacturing Environments.This project will directly address the most pervasive challenge faced by industry today, recruitment. As one executive put it, If we dont address the technician recruitment challenge in manufacturing, all other programs are a waste of time. The ability to attract new talent into the sector, especially below the bachelor degree level, is a critical issue for the Defense Industrial Base. In a recent survey conducted by The Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte, Gen Y (ages 19-33 years) respondents ranked manufacturing as their least preferred career destination.Objectives: This application seeks to expand a proven model called FlexFactor a outreach program designed to engage the next generation workforce into education pathways that provide the manufacturing engineering talent required to innovate and make the dual-use systems, devices, and components needed by our warfighters as well as the population at large and ensure the Technological superiority of the U.S. manufacturing industry and the Defense Industrial Base.Technical Approach: The application is led by NextFlex and includes partner Manufacturing USA Institutes: Integrated Photonics (AIM-SPARK), Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM), American Makes (AM), BioFabUSA, the Institute for Advanced Composite Manufacturing (IACMI), Manufacturing times Digital (MxD), National Institute for Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIMBL), and Rapid Advancement in Process Intensification Deployment Institute (RAPID).FlexFactor will be customized to the technology focus of each partnering Institute and implemented in 30 distinct labor markets. The program brings industry, higher education, and secondary education partners together to inform, inspire, attract, and recruit students into the future manufacturing engineering workforce. The program elements include engineering and manufacturing focused Project-Based Learning, familiarization with dual use technologies for both military and commercial application, 21st Century skills, and career and college pathway awareness. NextFlex will train each Institute leading to the development of unique private public collaborations of local stakeholders. Sustainability is accomplished through a scalable private-public partnership business model that has been proven in practice in San Jose, CA and has expanded to several other labor markets to include Cleveland, OH and Huntsville, AL.Results: The end result will increase the number of students enrolled in advanced manufacturing engineering education pathways nationwide. Conservatively estimated, 12,000 students will engage in the FlexFactor program within three years in 30 geographically disct will improve the number and quality of people aware of the manufacturing engineering careers in the Defense Industrial Base, the education pathways that lead to those careers, and the purpose and motivation within people to pursue these pathways. The project ultimately drives large-scale impact on critical manpower deficiencies affecting Department of Defense capabilities.Funds are provided to support the development, operation, and support of an industry-relevant, manufacturing-focused, engineering training program.Technical POC: Dr. William M. Mullins, william.m.mullins@navy.milThis project addresses directly the PE 0601120D8Z objectives addressing the continuing challenge in educating, training, recruiting, and retaining individuals in critical sciences and technologies that are vital to national defense now and in the future.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 08, 2020
- Source ID
- N000142012250
Entities
People
- Emily Mcgrath
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy