In a soon-to-be-released white paper, the Preparing Technicians for the Future of Work project team advocates adoption of a Framework for a Cross-Disciplinary STEM Core within all technical programs. The paper outlines components of the framework: 1) the knowledge and skills in three broad content areas (data knowledge and analysis, advanced digital literacy, and business knowledge and processes) that comprise the cross-disciplinary STEM core; 2) recommended activities for successfully integrating the cross-disciplinary STEM core into technical programs; and 3) specific actions that technical programs leaders and faculty, employers, and community college presidents can take to support adoption of the core.

To encourage implementation of the framework, the Preparing Technicians project team offers tools for building partnerships with employers, identifying and prioritizing the core knowledge and skills required in your region, and integrating the cross-disciplinary STEM core into your technical programs.

For more information, please contact anderson@cord.org.

As part of the HI-TEC Conference 2021, Preparing Technicians for the Future of Work will host a virtual Special Interest Group (SIG) convening on Friday, July 16 (11 am–2 pm CDT) featuring:

Participants will receive complementary registrations for both the SIG and the HI-TEC Conference, but seats are limited

In our continuing series of technician profiles, learn about actual technicians and their careers including their education, training, skills, and responsibilities. How did they attain their role and what does their day-to-day look like? Meet the supervisors and learn more about what they're looking for in a technician. How do they recruit, train, and equip their personnel with the latest technology? 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?

John M. “Bud” Chesser, senior supervisor of the Advanced Coating and Vacuum Process Lab in the Materials Engineering Division of Lawrence Livermore National Lab, looks for two things when screening applications of entry-level technicians: basic mechanical skills and inquisitiveness.

For additional educational resources and excellent learning tools visit the podcast show notes.

The "new" collar workforce is in high demand and the skills IT technicians needs to stay current are changing at a rate that is proving difficult for academic institutions to outpace. In this podcast find out how developing the IBM competency-based apprenticeship program and working with employers to innovate recruitment, hiring, and training is bridging the gap to prepare the workforce of tomorrow.