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The Connecticut Community College’s College of Technology with support from the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technology Education Grants (ATE #0402494) established a Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing (RCNGM). The RCNGM’s goals and objectives included implementing a marketing campaign for careers in manufacturing. This paper will identify specific activities that the RCNGM Center co-sponsored with its academic, business and government partners as well as professional associations that addressed the marketing of careers in manufacturing as well as recruitment and retention strategies for under represented populations.

A highlight of this paper will be the state-wide Manufacture Your Future Symposium co- sponsored with the CT Business and Industry Association in May 16-17th, 2006. Over 3500 high school students attended the symposium that included school districts from throughout CT. The symposium featured a next generation manufacturing company with 10 pods demonstrating manufacturing processes beginning with the design of a manufactured key chain using CAD to the actual engraving of the part with a laser. Two additional breakout areas were part of the symposium and included a section on higher education that showcased 18 higher education organizations and several educational initiatives. A second section hosted 20 manufacturing company exhibits where students observed a variety of manufacturing products made in CT and also received numerous free samples. Finally, there was an exterior lobby entry where a number of engaging demonstrations were held including a moving robot; a submarine from Electric Boat; guitars from Kamatics and a space launch rocket. Cash donations from industry, government, educational and professional organizations totaled over $175,000. In addition, in- kind donations surpassed $250,000 and included time donated by a rigger company to transport the manufacturing equipment from the participating manufacturing companies to the CT Convention Center.

The symposium had an extensive pre and post evaluation plan that was completed by over 1800 students and their teachers. The results of these surveys will be presented and discussed as well as a suggested operational plan for adapting and implementing a similar event in another region or state.

Introduction: The Connecticut College of Technology (COT) is a virtual college that encompasses the entire state and includes the 12 community colleges that make up the public community college system, six private and public universities and secondary schools throughout Connecticut. (see Diagram 1) The COT was created by the State legislature, Public Law 95-04, with the objective of establishing a seamless pathway in engineering and technology between technical high schools, community colleges and Baccalaureate awarding colleges and universities. Although the COT always included all 12 public community colleges in Connecticut, only two (2) four-year colleges/universities, the School of Engineering at the University of CT and the School of Technology at Central Connecticut State University were

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Wosczyna-Birch, K., & Kaufman, L., & deManbey, M., & Simoneau, K. (2007, June), Marketing Manufacturing Using The Nsf Funded Regional Center For Next Generation Manufacturing Paper presented at 2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, Hawaii. 10.18260/1-2--2360