Preparing
the Workforce of the Future:
Nanofabrication Manufacturing
Technology
By:
Carole I. Smith
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To
earn NMT degrees and certificates granted by the participating
institutions, students must spend one semester at the
Penn State Nanofabrication Facility in a hands-on nanofabrication
"capstone experience". The NMT Capstone Semester
is a 6-course hands-on experience exposing students to
state-of-the art equipment and cleanroom facilities at
the facility. (I took a tour of this facility while at
the conference. It was quite an educational experience).
Participating students can earn 18 credits by taking these
six courses: 1) Materials, Safety, Health Issues, and
Equipment Basic to Nanofabrication; 2) Basic Nanofabrication
Processes; 3) Thin Film Utilization in Nanofabrication;
4) Lithography for Nanofabrication;5) Materials Modification
in Nanofabrication; and 6) Characterization, Packaging,
and Testing in Nanofabrication. These credits can be used
to earn an NMT Certificate, a degree, or both, depending
on the specific program of the student's "home college".
Students are encouraged to apply for funds to help defray
their educational program costs.
Philadelphians
interested in finding out more about this program can
contact Randy Libros, Associate Professor, Electronics
Technology, Community College of Philadelphia at 215-751-8583
or rlibros@ccp.cc.pa.us. He is the local NMT contact person.
What's
going on in your community to prepare the workforce of
the future?
If
the United States is to maintain its leadership position
in the world economy, one of the major challenges of our
nation will be training our workforce for this industry.
Another major challenge will be helping our African American
youth understand that, now more than ever, it's not hip
to be dumb. Our community is a primary source of "human
capital" that can be trained and utilized to combat
and defeat bio-terrorism. And from what I've seen of our
youth as Workforce 2000 launches technology programs in
Philadelphia public schools, our students really do have
what it takes! You'd be pleasantly surprised.
For
those of you currently in the workforce, who are skilled
and interested in math and science, and facing downsizing,
take heed. This may be just the transitional opportunity
you were looking for. Check it out.
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