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What is the Next Generation Manufacturing Center?

The Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing addresses the need for highly skilled workers in the new manufacturing workplace by building programs that provide resources to educators and students interested in learning new technologies in manufacturing. The Center is directed by the Connecticut College of Technology (COT), - a virtual organization representing technology curriculum geared toward engineering and technician training offered at Connecticut's 12 community colleges.

These curriculum programs give students credit toward engineering and technician training at designated Connecticut public colleges and universities, including Central Connecticut State University , the University of Hartford , University of Connecticut , Fairfield University , University of New Haven and Charter Oak College.

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Description of the NGMCenter

The Center brings together committed employers, four-year universities and community colleges to provide:

  • Distance learning courses focusing on next generation manufacturing, including fuel cells, laser manufacturing, green engineering, nanotechnology and biomedical applications;
  • Career marketing materials that support the recruitment and retention of students in secondary schools and target 18 -26 year old young adults;
  • Longitudinal studies that identify best practices and assess students' performance in the workplace and employer satisfaction with graduates;
  • Courses that bridge two-year engineering technology programs with traditional four-year engineering programs;
  • Teacher externships and student internships in cutting-edge, next-generation manufacturing industries.

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Goals of the NGMCenter

The Center will:

  • Develop new curriculum programs, based on input from industry, in such new technologies as laser manufacturing, photonics and fuel cells. The curriculum is based on industry's workforce needs.
  • Prepare faculty for the development and implementation of industry-driven, next-generation manufacturing coursework and laboratories. Through a strong partnership with the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, the Center provides faculty with industry externships in cutting-edge technologies like fuel cells, laser manufacturing, bio-manufacturing, aerospace, and nanotechnology. Participating faculty develop work-based learning currkculum projects for their students, which are disseminated through workshops and on a dedicated website (go to www.ctcurriculum.org. )
  • Make high school students and young adults aware of opportunities that exist in the new manufacturing environment through a comprehensive marketing campaign. These students and young adults will be encouraged to take advantage of technology and engineering training being offered through the Connecticut College of Technology and Connecticut's 12 community colleges new manufacturing environment. Graduates of these programs will be prepared for careers in new fields such as laser manufacturing and fuel cell production.
  • Increase opportunities for collaborations between manufacturers and schools which will ultimately increase the pool of qualified technicians in the workforce.

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History

The idea for the NGM Center grant came from the success of the College of Technology, a virtual college program connecting engineering and technician training among Connecticut's 12 community colleges. These curriculum programs, which were developed with input from business and industry, provide pathway programs for students interested in continuing in a 4-year engineering or technician training program at designed Connecticut public universities.

Subsequently, the College of Technology was able to develop articulation agreements with the state's technical high schools, which created a 2+2+2 pathway for students in Connecticut's technical high schools.

The College of Technology had also collaborated with the Connecticut Business and Industry Association in developing curriculum and in providing professional development for faculty through a National Science Foundation ATE project grant. Creating a Center that strengthens partnerships with the educational community, business and industry was a logical step in promoting needed training that addresses the need for more highly skilled workers in the new manufacturing environment.

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Contact us

For more information about the Center, contact:

Karen Wosczyna-Birch, Director
College of Technology, Connecticut Community Colleges
61 Woodland Street
Hartford, CT
Email: www.karenlee@snet.net
Tel.: (860) 244-7608

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