Based on the results of our recently conducted a survey of companies to determine their needs for photonics technicians. It is clear that there is a significant need. But it is also clear that there could be great value in getting industry leaders together with the program leaders at the two Florida schools who have photonics tech programs: Valencia Community College and Indian River Community College, to discuss their current programs and exchange ideas on how to enhance them in both content and enrollment.
In addition to representatives from VCC and IRCC, Dan Hull from CORD/OP-TEC has said he will be glad to join our meeting, and Seminole CC may participate (they have indicated interest in possibly reviving their photonics program). The OP-TEC program at CORD is an NSF-funded program developing curricula and programs specifically for optics/photonics technicians. They recently received an additional NSF grant to add optical fabrication techs to their studies. Info on this program can be seen at http://www.op-tec.org/ Representatives from Workforce Florida and the Central Florida Development Council will also be invited to participate in the meeting (FPC members participate on the boards of these two organizations, which may be able to provide program development funds).
Would you, or appropriate other staff at your company, would be interested in participating in such a meeting? If so, please contact us by Monday 20 October so that we can complete the plans for the meeting.
James E. Pearson, PhD
Director, Research & Admin,
CREOL, The College of Optics & Photonics &
Special Asst. to the VP for Research
University of Central Florida
CREOL: (407)823-6858
Alt office: (678)455-3459
Cell: (407)451-2199
jpearson@creol.ucf.edu
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment