2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The world of two-year degree in Engineering Technology (ET) technician preparation is conveniently recognized by its community of practices. The members of that extended community are labeled by their ET program participation elements. The nationally significant members include the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), the National Science Foundation Advanced Technical Education Program (NSF ATE), and the broad ET-supportive industry sectors.
An appreciation of current ET technician preparation in the United States requires an examination of these three contributors to the ET national community of practice. This paper presents the characteristics of each of these community of practice members. Technician preparation examples from each will be presented and examined for similarities and differences. Suggestions for tightening the expectations for these three preparation sectors will be presented.
The successful integration of ET technician preparation within 22 colleges in the Florida State College System will be presented. An overview of the seamless transition, as regulated by the Florida Department of Education, from high school Career and Technical education through two-year college, four-year ET programs followed by paths to the ET Professional Engineer or graduate degree level will also be presented. Specific industry involvement and responsibilities at the State ET program Advisory Board (SETIAB) level will be included in this paper.