CESMII PARTNER SESSIONS
Wednesday, July 31, 8:30-9:45am – Keynote: Technology and Workforce Development for Competitiveness
Speaker: Mark Johnson, Director, Center for Advanced Manufacturing, Clemson University
In 2022, the US passed the CHIPS Act as a significant step forward in US manufacturing competitiveness. Focused primarily on semiconductor manufacturing, the CHIPS Act also provided resources for significant technical and workforce development investment across the economy. The impact on US competitiveness in areas of advanced manufacturing and economic growth are expected to be significant. US science and technology leadership are to be leveraged to transform how we work and how we learn across society. This talk will highlight some of the programs being supported and how this investment might impact people in regions across the nation.
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Wednesday, July 31, 10:15-11:00a – STEM Collaborations with Advanced Manufacturers and Industry (S65)
Moderator: Brad Conrad, Education and Workforce Development Manager, NIST, Manufacturing USA
Panelists: Amy Keesler, IACMI; Taylor McLeod, ARMI; Christina Jones, NIST
In late 2023, there were over 600,000 U.S. manufacturing jobs open. Manufacturers consistently cite the lack of a skilled workforce as one of the biggest challenges in advanced manufacturing. Manufacturing USA Institutes can partner with and assist educators as they navigate the career pathways and skills students will need to excel in industry. This panel will highlight local, regional, and national collaborations established by Manufacturing USA Institutes between industry members and educators to support the workforce of 2024 and beyond.
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Wednesday, July 31, 11:15-Noon – Smart Systems HyFlex Workforce for Ecosystem of Small Medium Enterprises, Manufacturing USA, CHIPS (S87)
Speaker: Sam Samanta, Professor of Physics, Coordinator of Smart Systems Technologies, Finger Lakes Community College, Victor, New York
Through HyFlex scheduling, the Digital Transformation of Smart Systems Technologies degree has broadened access for incumbent workers, remote students, and underemployed baccalaureates. Beyond cyberphysical automation, students learn the use of emerging Industry 4.0 technologies such as digital twins, AVR, and industrial AI. Paid co-ops matched with employer needs are critical for high rates of completion (75 percent) and job placement (~100 percent) in a high-tech ecosystem of 50+ diverse businesses. Arguably, this program provides the most efficient blueprint for sustainably meeting (1) current high-tech workforce needs for 98 percent of employers and (2) the workforce ramp-up challenge for advanced manufacturing technologies accelerated by the Manufacturing USA Institutes and reshoring initiatives of the CHIPS Act.
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Thursday, August 1, 11:15-Noon- Skills for Tomorrow’s Careers: Manufacturing USA (S63)
Moderator: Brad Conrad, Education and Workforce Manager, NIST, Manufacturing USA
Panelists: Conrad Leiva, CESMII; Lisa Masciantonio, ARM; Robin Hammond, EPIXC
Manufacturing USA supports hands-on, experiential programs that familiarize students with advanced manufacturing technology, entrepreneurship, and career pathways that can lead to good paying advanced manufacturing careers. The Manufacturing USA Institutes support a wide variety of technologies and programs that effectively connect students, often from underserved communities, with resources and opportunities that can help guide their career decision-making through college. This panel discussion will focus on the most common skills necessary for advanced manufacturing career pathways in 2024 and will outline several institute programs that partner with community colleges and how you can bring these engaging programs to your school.
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Thursday, August 1, 3:45-4:30p – Career Pathways in Advanced Manufacturing and Industry (S64)
Moderator: Brad Conrad, Education and Workforce Manager, NIST, Manufacturing USA
Panelists: Becky Lewis, NextFlex; Ty Middleton, CyManII; Christy Jones, NIST; Charlene Stokes, Army Futures Command
Did you know there are advanced manufacturing careers in high-end fashion, sustainable agriculture, and artificial intelligence? Manufacturing USA Institutes support talent pipelines in technology areas spanning a broad range of technologies including bio fabrication, composites, robotics, semiconductors, cybersecurity, advanced materials, and decarbonization. This panel will highlight the breadth of advanced manufacturing careers that are open to STEM students, non-traditional manufacturing careers, how to make the connections between students’ interests and those careers, our Modern Makers Career Pathways project, and how students can access opportunities in and pathways to advanced manufacturing careers.
