Location
Radisson Resort at the Port, Convention Center, Jamaica Room
Start Date
2-5-2002 2:00 PM
End Date
2-5-2002 5:00 PM
Description
Recent changes in the aerospace industry have resulted in increased interest in educational initiatives by a number of states (e.g., Florida, Texas, Alabama), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Defense (DOD), and business organizations facing a challenging future. In response, the Community Colleges for Innovative Technology Transfer (CCITT) – a 15 college consortium located adjacent to all the NASA Centers and several DOD facilities – has embarked upon the development of a national skills standards program for aerospace technicians. This new program not only will educate the workforce of the future but also will use the lure of space-related activities to infuse new levels of interest in academic programs of all kinds.
Already the work by this group has resulted in initiatives in workforce training, curriculum development, educational technology, and space-related research initiatives by post-secondary institutions. The aerospace industry has responded with strong support and endorsement by advisory groups such as the Aerospace Technology Advisory Committee (ATAC) in Florida, and programs of study are now being offered to students who meet the basic requirements of prospective aerospace employees.
The purpose of this paper is to describe the programmatic needs for educational activities for aerospace technical education. It will outline the approaches being developed to utilize partnerships that will link K-12, community college, and university systems to sustain a qualified and technically competent workforce. To meet the growing need for a technically competent workforce, powerful alliances with business and industry, educational institutions, and government organizations such as state spaceport authorities for aerospace program activities have been formed. If successful, these activities can transform education with sustainable structures and flexible curricula that meet the needs of the ultimate stakeholders.
Paper Session III-C - Transforming Technical Education
Radisson Resort at the Port, Convention Center, Jamaica Room
Recent changes in the aerospace industry have resulted in increased interest in educational initiatives by a number of states (e.g., Florida, Texas, Alabama), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Defense (DOD), and business organizations facing a challenging future. In response, the Community Colleges for Innovative Technology Transfer (CCITT) – a 15 college consortium located adjacent to all the NASA Centers and several DOD facilities – has embarked upon the development of a national skills standards program for aerospace technicians. This new program not only will educate the workforce of the future but also will use the lure of space-related activities to infuse new levels of interest in academic programs of all kinds.
Already the work by this group has resulted in initiatives in workforce training, curriculum development, educational technology, and space-related research initiatives by post-secondary institutions. The aerospace industry has responded with strong support and endorsement by advisory groups such as the Aerospace Technology Advisory Committee (ATAC) in Florida, and programs of study are now being offered to students who meet the basic requirements of prospective aerospace employees.
The purpose of this paper is to describe the programmatic needs for educational activities for aerospace technical education. It will outline the approaches being developed to utilize partnerships that will link K-12, community college, and university systems to sustain a qualified and technically competent workforce. To meet the growing need for a technically competent workforce, powerful alliances with business and industry, educational institutions, and government organizations such as state spaceport authorities for aerospace program activities have been formed. If successful, these activities can transform education with sustainable structures and flexible curricula that meet the needs of the ultimate stakeholders.
