Volume 2, Issue 9| October 2021
Project Updates
Preparing Technicians Hosts
Regional Convening for
Arizona Sun Corridor
Preparing Technicians for the Future of Work in partnership with Maricopa Community College recently hosted the Arizona Sun Corridor Regional Convening for the Future of Work. Virtual meetings were held on September 17th and September 24th with over 50 organizations from industry, education, and government represented to discuss the skills future technicians will need to meet the demands of America’s workforce.
Preparing Technicians Offers Session
at NCPN Conference 2021
Preparing Technicians for the Future of Work will present "Facing the Future: Why Employers Need Multiskilled Technicians" at this year's NCPN 2021 Conference. This virtual session will be on on Thursday, November 4th at 2 pm eastern. To register visit the NCPN conference website.

The global workplace is evolving right before our eyes. Advancements driven by technologies such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and robotics are transforming existing industries and creating new ones at an unprecedented pace. In this session, panelists representing very large companies with heavy investments in the latest technology will discuss how rapid technological change is affecting the skill sets that employers are looking for in technicians, now and in the future.

GUEST PANELISTS

Gail Norris
Director
SITRAIN Digital Industrial Academy
Siemens Industry, Inc.

Dave Vasko
Director of Advanced Technologies
Rockwell Automationl

Carlos Contreras
Senior Director Americas
Global Partnerships and Initiatives
Intel
A Framework for a
Cross-Disciplinary STEM Core
The recently released "A Framework for a Cross-Disciplinary STEM Core" contains resources and recommendations for incorporating knowledge and skills in three key areas: Advanced Digital Literacy, Data Knowledge and Analysis, and Business Knowledge and Processes. Topics within these areas have been prioritized by educators and industry as essential to work of the future, across industry sectors.

The Framework can be regionally customized by any community college technical program. 
conducted a series of research activities with technicians, industry, and academic leaders designed to identify the knowledge and skills that will be essential for future STEM technicians.
To learn more about the Framework and how to implement it in your region, download a copy on our website.
Technician Perspectives
In our continuing series of technician perspectives, hear from actual technicians about their careers, education, training, skills, and responsibilities. How did they attain their role and what does their day-to-day look like? Meet supervisors and learn more about what they're looking for in a technician. What skills are needed beyond what technicians currently learn in school that will impact the future, and how can an alliance between educators and industry be the game changer in preparing technicians for the future of work?
Biomedical Technician Adrian Barraza Brings Versatile Skill Set to Work
by Madeline Patton
“That job really kind of opened up my eyes to see what job opportunities there are.”
Adrian Barraza’s curiosity about microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) set him on his career path. MEMS, which are also known as micromachines, are made up of components between 1 and 100 micrometers (often called microns) in size. (For reference, a human hair ranges from 20 – 200 micrometers.)

Right out of high school Barraza had an entry-level job as an operator at EMCORE. His brother-in-law was the senior engineer at the company and helped him get the job at the company that manufactures mixed-signal optics and MEMS-based products for aerospace and defense systems. Barraza liked the technology and enjoyed it when the engineers shared their insights about lithography and etching of silicon chips. Continue reading.
Adrian Barraza completes preventative maintenance performance checks on a ventilator.
Innovating Resources
Deloitte and Wichita State Join Forces to Launch New Smart Factory

Read about this cutting-edge Industry 4.0 partnership that will accelerate the digital transformation for manufacturers.
Events
October Offers Many Opportunities to
Get Involved and Celebrate STEM
Manufacturing Month
  • October 1st kicks off Manufacturing Month with ongoing events to highlight the importance of manufacturing in our everyday lives. With an emphasis on digital and virtual events throughout the country, find resources and activities and media campaign materials at visit creatorswanted.org.

  • Click here for a Manufacturing Institute Program that encourages women in manufacturing careers.



Nanotechnology Day is October 9
Raise awareness and celebrate the science of extremely small things that have a big impact.



  • Listen to our podcast about how one entrepreneur anticipates more overlap of nano and biotech in agricultural technology.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month
#DoYourPart.BeCybersmart

Cybersecurity and security controls are skills all technicians will need in the Future of Work. Become a cybersecurity awareness champion. Learn more at www.staysafeonline.org and www.cisa.gov/cybersecurity-awareness-month.

For innovation in cybersecurity education visit the ATE CSSIA, National Support Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance.
National Career Pathways Network to
Host Annual Conference

NCPN will host NCPN Connect 2021: A Virtual Conference November 4-5. The NCPN conference provides professional development with excellent keynotes, live breakout sessions, networking for attendees and on-demand prerecorded sessions. For more information visit their website.
Listen to Our Podcast
Episode 30: Every Day Is
Different for a Food Technician
Host Mike Lesiecki with Guest
 Carl Benttine
Senior Electronics Technician at Hormel Foods
In this episode, Mike talks with Carl Benttine, a Senior Electronics Technician at Hormel Foods. Carl shares his educational and workforce journey, in which he gained a variety of electromechanical, programming and troubleshooting skills that have led to a long career. The diversity of the job tasks assigned to a technician at a food processing facility changes very rapidly. They need to be multi-skilled and agile. Fortunately, there is usually a lot of on-the-job training to help them keep up to date.

For additional educational resources and tools visit the podcast show notes.
Listen and subscribe to catch up on any of our earlier podcasts. The Show Notes and Transcripts provide additional resources and activities.
Listen and subscribe on
Follow us and stay up-to-date on the
latest news and all things Future of Work.
Administered by the
Center for Occupational Research and Development (CORD)
Funding and support provided
by the
National Science Foundation
Disclaimer: This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under NSF DUE #1839567. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.