Del Tech's Advanced Manufacturing Pathways Program receives national award
Delaware Technical Community College's Advanced Manufacturing Pathways Program has been awarded the National Council for Workforce Education Program Exemplary Award. Delaware Tech is one of two colleges receiving this national award for excellence in a Noncredit Workforce Development Program. Award recipients are chosen based on summary of program, description of partnerships and collaboration, potential economic impact, program results and replication.
The Advanced Manufacturing Pathways Program is a two-year program for Delaware high school juniors and seniors that provides skills and certifications needed to start a career immediately upon high school graduation. The program was the first career and technical education pathway that supported Gov. Jack Markell's Pathways to Prosperity Initiative to ensure that more young people in Delaware complete high school and attain postsecondary credentials that lead to jobs. Furthermore, the program supported a need expressed by the Delaware Manufacturing Association for a pipeline of skilled workers to meet the needs of the re-emerging manufacturing industry in Delaware that now requires an increased level of technology.
"Delaware Tech is proud to be a partner in the Pathways to Prosperity initiative, and this award reinforces the quality of the program," said Delaware Tech President Dr. Mark Brainard. "Our work in strengthening career and technical pathways is a game changer for Delaware students. These pathways provide them with the opportunity to finish high school with real world experience, college credits, and industry credentials that provide a jump start to their career in high-demand fields."
In collaboration with the Delaware Department of Education, the Delaware Department of Labor and the Delaware Manufacturing Association, Delaware Tech designed a unique dual-enrollment program that allows students to attend classes at their high school and Delaware Tech's Innovation Technology Center. Students receive 600-plus hours of instruction and hands-on experience in Delaware Tech's labs, and complete a 200-hour paid craftsmanship at the end of their first year of instruction. During the two-year program, those who complete the training have the opportunity to earn national certifications and are eligible for advanced standing with up to 13 college credits toward programs at Delaware Tech, providing a path to both postsecondary education and immediate employment in the manufacturing field.
Broad partnerships with local manufacturing companies have played an integral role in the development of curriculum and creation of craftsmanship experiences at manufacturing sites throughout the state. The program not only provides students with an opportunity to apply their newly acquired skills in a practical setting, but also makes them uniquely qualified for future job openings at the company in which they complete their craftsmanship.
The National Council for Workforce Education is an affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges. NCWE provides a national forum for administrators and faculty in workforce education and basic skills, as well as representatives of business, labor, military and government, to affect and direct the future role of two-year and other post-secondary institutions in workforce education and economic development.
For more information on Delaware Tech's workforce training and continuing education programs, go to www.dtcc.edu/continuing-education.
