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A Network of Sustainable Partnerships FLATE, the Florida Advanced Technological EducaƟon Regional Center of Excellence, was established by the NaƟon- al Science FoundaƟon (NSF) in 2004 to help develop a skilled and qualiĮed workforce for Florida’s manufacturers. FLATE builds the pipeline of future workers for Florida’s advanced manufacturing sector using a comprehensive, three pronged approach: curriculum reform, outreach, and professional development. FLATE’s vision and mission are grounded in collaboraƟve partnerships. In 2011, Florida industry expressed the need for partnerships with schools to develop a pipeline of STEM (science, technology, engineering, math)-educated employees, and schools have expressed a strong desire for this partnership, but both enƟƟes have had a slow start forging ahead to make these partnerships happen. Industry and educaƟonal insƟtuƟons can engage in a variety of partnerships and acƟviƟes as outlined in this new guide, produced in partnership with the Manufacturers AssociaƟon of Florida’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing Excellence (CAME). OŌen partnerships begin with a single, regular involvement in an outreach acƟvity and increase as interest in that acƟvity grows and expands to others. Although partnerships may start with a single person in a school and a single person in the company, it is imperaƟve that this expands to involve more stakeholders in each. In the school, this could be a program director (CTE director and/or principal). At the company, the group might include human resources, media and outreach/community involvement personnel as well as plant or operaƟons managers, engineers and/or technicians. Strong, lasƟng partnerships involve relaƟonships and relaƟonships involve people. FLATE’s goal in this acƟvity is to build a network of sustainable partnerships. In this new guide, we share lessons learned and best pracƟces to create successful and sustainable school-industry partnerships. We oīer a “laundry list” of possibiliƟes that schools and industry can mix and match to create strong partnerships that result in “win- win” scenarios for both. We also oīer Ɵps for talking with students about aspects of manufacturing that young people can relate to and are even passionate about. The partnerships will have many common and fundamental threads, but they won’t look alike and shouldn’t! Let FLATE help you get started on your partnership adventure to grow a strong and engaging educaƟonal pathway for manufacturing careers. Please do not hesitate to send us your stories; we would love to celebrate and share them. Finally, providing the correct image of manufacturing is imperaƟve. Many sƟll see the manufacturing industry as merely assembly lines of workers manually processing widgets all day. EducaƟng and informing students (and par- ents) about the world of modern manufacturing and the opportuniƟes available in the Įeld is essenƟal. Too many young people are disregarding manufacturing as a career, unaware of the career growth and wage potenƟal. How- ever, the image will not change unless you, the manufacturers change it. FLATE can help, but your involvement is vital. Please contact us if we can answer any questions about this material, or help facilitate a connection or partnership. In addition, learn more about FLATE and our MSSC aligned ET Degree program at www.fl-ate.org, and see how our “Made in Florida” outreach campaign can help you make the connection at www.madeinflorida.org. Sincerely, Marilyn Barger, Ph. D., P.E., CPT 4