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What is the Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing?

 

Karen Wosczyna-Birch, executive director of the Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, greets an astronaut at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, summer of 2008.

The Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing (RCNGM) 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.

Goals of the Center

The  COT RCNGM 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 (CBIA), the COT RCNGM 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 curriculum projects for their students, which are disseminated through workshops and on a dedicated website. More information.
  • 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.

Funding for the Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing is provided by the Advanced Technology Education program of the National Science Foundation. For information on other Center grants, go to http://www.atecenters.org/.

History of the COT RCNGM.

For more information about the COT RCNGM , contact:

College of Technology, Connecticut Community Colleges
61 Woodland Street
Hartford, CT 06105

Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch
Executive Director
P: (860) 244-7608
F: (860) 244-7883
E-mail: karenlee@snet.net

Mary deManbey

Program Manager
CBIA
P: (860) 244-1975
F: (860) 278-8562
E-mail: mary.demanbey@cbia.com

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The Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing is funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation Advanced Technology Education program. Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.