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Session 2004-1819

The Manufacturing Learning Model – An Innovative Method for Manufacturing Education

Winston F. Erevelles – Robert Morris University Pearley Cunningham – Community College of Allegheny County Sunday Faseyitan – Butler County Community College Robert Myers – Westmoreland County Community College

I. Introduction

The Partnership for Regional Innovation in Manufacturing Education (PRIME) is an industry- driven, academic system delivering innovative manufacturing education and career development in southwestern Pennsylvania. The coalition brings together Robert Morris University (RMU), the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), Butler County Community College (BCCC) and Westmoreland County Community College (WCCC) along with dozens of manufacturing partners. PRIME was created in response to the human capital needs of regional manufacturers – i.e. the development of highly skilled technicians and engineers for the manufacturing workforce of tomorrow.

This is done through a comprehensive strategy that currently targets southwestern Pennsylvania. The manufacturing base in this region continues to be the key to a healthy regional economy. Manufacturing is the second largest private sector employer with 160,000 jobs, and first in annual wages with a total payroll of over $6 billion1, 2. The average manufacturing wage of $40,000 compares very favorably to the $28,000 average of other sectors. In southwestern Pennsylvania, the manufacturing workforce (which is 15% of the total workforce) accounts for $56 billion of a $139 billion economy. This is a clear indication of the impact that the relatively small number of manufacturing jobs has on the regional economy.

In order to maintain and grow this base, PRIME operates at various levels. In addition to launching new programs with attendant curricula and facilities, PRIME also offers extensive outreach to middle and high school students and their academic and family communities. PRIME also works to develop and implement innovative methods to disseminate its educational materials and facilitate communication and distance learning amongst its constituencies.

PRIME currently offers five manufacturing technology (two-year) and engineering (four-year) degree programs. The three community colleges partners each offer A.S. degree programs in Manufacturing Technology while Robert Morris University offers the B.S. in Manufacturing Engineering degree. In addition, CCAC offers a three-year bridge program that allows graduates

Proceedings of the 2004 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright  2004, American Society for Engineering Education

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Faseyitan, S., & Myers, R., & Cunningham, P., & Erevelles, W. (2004, June), The Manufacturing Learning Model – An Innovative Method For Manufacturing Education Paper presented at 2004 Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah. 10.18260/1-2--13260