2003 Aug 05
For Immediate Release
WORK-READY ELECTRONICS:
Maricopa Community Colleges Synchronize Curriculum to Rapidly Changing Workplace Needs
August 5, 2003 - The Maricopa Community Colleges are helping U.S. electronics and high technology companies maintain their competitive edge by providing up-to-the minute curriculum and training to faculty, working technicians and future employees. A $900,000 grant over three years from the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education Program will help fund the development and dissemination of learning modules designed to fill the gaps between technician-level electronics training and evolving industry demands.
The Maricopa Advanced Technology Education Center (MATEC), a member of the Academic Affairs Division of the Maricopa Community Colleges, will design and deliver 25 learning modules via the Internet. "This project will help students develop the skills they need to succeed today and to continuously learn, which is vital in our challenging technological workplace of the future," explains Michael Lesiecki, PhD, Executive Director of MATEC.
Technology moves so fast that many current technological applications and new electronic components, equipment, and methods are simply unavailable in standard textbooks. Meanwhile, industry wants graduates who are well grounded in both fundamentals and the latest technological developments. Therefore, the plan includes an in-depth analysis and development effort. Each module will consist of about three hours of classroom and laboratory instruction. The "competency-based" format will precisely measure each student's achievement of key knowledge and skills that industry employers have identified as most important. To ensure continued currency with industry standards, an Emerging Electronics Curriculum Task Force (EECTF), assembled from industry and college faculty representatives, will update the modules.
The team is led by MATEC's Dr. Joseph Mattoon, who is joined by senior electronics faculty at Mesa and Glendale Community Colleges as well as faculty from Austin (Texas) Community College. Participating companies and organizations in the project include Intel, Texas Instruments, the American Electronics Association and Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International.
The Maricopa County Community College District is one of the largest community college districts in the nation. It includes 10 colleges - Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Estrella Mountain Community College, GateWay Community College, Glendale Community College, Mesa Community College, Paradise Valley Community College, Phoenix College, Rio Salado College, Scottsdale Community College and South Mountain Community College. The District also includes the Maricopa Skill Center, Southwest Skill Center, several satellite campuses and business/industry, technical and customized training institutes and serves more than 277,000 students annually. For more information: 480-731-8000 or www.maricopa.edu