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Creating an Industry-Academia Partnership to Prepare the Workforce of the Future

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Conference

2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Minneapolis, MN

Publication Date

August 23, 2022

Start Date

June 26, 2022

End Date

June 29, 2022

Conference Session

College Industry Partnerships Division Technical Session 2

Page Count

15

DOI

10.18260/1-2--40776

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/40776

Download Count

310

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Paper Authors

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Stephanie Ivey The University of Memphis

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Aaron Robinson The University of Memphis

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Katie Bowman The University of Memphis

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Abstract

This paper details development of a new Engineering Apprenticeship program designed to prepare engineering graduates to embrace technology, innovation, and the development of multidisciplinary solutions to current industry challenges. The program was developed collaboratively between university and industry partners to address gaps in terms of both evolving skillset requirements for graduates and students’ lack of awareness of the diverse range of career opportunities.

The Engineering Apprenticeship Program provides immersive experiences for students that integrate academic training and work-based learning to decrease time-to-productivity in the workforce and develop knowledge and skills related to information technology, intelligent transportation systems, and other advanced technologies. The program was carefully crafted to better align college curricular content to the rapidly changing needs of employers and the evolution of technologies in all areas of industry. A primary goal of the program is for students to develop cross-disciplinary knowledge and skills, become aware of cutting-edge industry research, and begin to recognize the applicability of the results to other problem settings.

The Engineering Apprenticeship program features a heavily industry-engaged model that includes a newly developed course, Transformative Technologies in Engineering, and a work-based learning placement. A key aspect of the course is its multidisciplinary nature. Upper division undergraduate and graduate students from all engineering majors are eligible to enroll in the class. The course is taught by a faculty team representing different engineering disciplines. The class includes sessions on professionalism, research preparation, and a wide range of industry topics. Students are engaged in weekly research assignments, presentations, and individual and team innovation projects. Employers serve as guest speakers, provide opportunities for field trips, develop challenge problems for students to address, serve as project mentors to student teams, and hire students in related work-based learning opportunities.

This paper highlights the collaborative program design along with outcomes and lessons learned from the first year of implementation.

Ivey, S., & Robinson, A., & Bowman, K. (2022, August), Creating an Industry-Academia Partnership to Prepare the Workforce of the Future Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Minneapolis, MN. 10.18260/1-2--40776

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