2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

This research strives to identify and address needs of industry by partnering with companies and creating worker friendly courses directly focused on the subject matter that they see as critical for future growth. As part of an NSF funded grant for advanced manufacturing, a study on training and educational needs of industry in a mid Atlantic state has been conducted, with efforts beginning to address those needs with specific partner input. The project is entering its fourth year with a workforce development course currently underway that is specific to the research findings.
First, the training and educational opportunities within the state were evaluated. This provided a snapshot of training opportunities for anyone, particularly young people, interested in entering the manufacturing industry. Later a survey was conducted under an IRB that canvased industries in the state. The survey sought to identify specific training deficiencies important to industry. They were asked about what micro-credentials they value, and what training gaps they would like to address. From that information a first course was created specifically targeted to the working population based on partner feedback. The course is online and asynchronous, with a series of modules that include learning materials such as text, slides, and videos. Since this is a funded project, the course is offered at no cost to the participants. The first course is in project management, as that subject was seen as one of the most in need of addressing by the partners, with the first cohort currently enrolled the course. Once the first students have completed the initial offering, there are plans to expand it to more partners and add additional requested courses. This work in progress describes the research based work done thus far and how new and improved offerings will be created with industry partners.