Page 6 - FLATE CARCAM Best Practice Guide_Rev Feb 042114 EW (2)

FLATE is an NSF Center of Excellence in high-technology manufacturing and serves as the primary resource organization for manufacturing and advanced technical education, best practices, and resources supporting the high-performance skilled workforce for Florida's manufacturing sectors. FLATE partnered early on to develop its signature A.S. in Engineering Technology. Additionally, FLATE took ownership of the tri-annual, legislatively-mandated statewide curriculum review process for the new degree. In partnership with the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), FLATE worked closely with its partner colleges and industry representatives to rigorously review the standards and benchmarks that define both the Engineering Technology Core and the ten specialized tracks that make up the second-year of the degree program. FLATE provides exemplary industry partnerships, workforce opportunities, and educational synergy throughout the state of Florida by connecting industry and workforce needs to targeted educational endeavors at fourteen community and state colleges across Florida. The Engineering Technology (ET) degree and certificate programs conceived, engineered, and coordinated by FLATE are the first of their kind to deliver a cohesive, comprehensive, fully articulated inter-institutional program which focuses on a set of core courses covering introductory computer-aided drafting, electronics, instrumentation and testing, processes and materials, quality, and safety. These core skills support the Florida workforce, and align with the national Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) Certified Production Technician certification, providing value-added benefits to industry. The Engineering Technology Core coupled with a second-year degree specialization prepares students for jobs in manufacturing and high-technology industries. We hope our experiences will give you some guidance and insight helping you on your journey toward statewide, or even local and regional curriculum reviews, for career and technical education. We invite you to contact us if we can be of assistance. Sincerely, Marilyn Barger and Beverly Hilderbrand: Principle Investigators: FLATE and CARCAM CONTACT US: Marilyn Barger, PhD, PE, CPT Beverly Hilderbrand FLATE Executive Director/PI CARCAM Director/PI barger@fl-ate.org bhilderbrand@gadsdenstate.edu 813-259-6578 256-439-6871 6