Best Practices
Here are the current industry best practices for manufacturing, aerospace, career and technical education, and hiring.
NAM-endorsed Skills Certification
Using one of several certifications endorsed by NAM (National Association of Manufacturing), industry and education by working together can create benchmarks that standardize the knowledge, skills, and abilities of future employees.
The Center of Excellence for Aerospace and 11 community colleges throughout the state will be working on implementing NAM-endorsed certification programs throughout the state over the next three years.
Curriculum Alignment
The Center of Excellence for Aerospace and Advanced Materials Manufacturing, through Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funding, was able to cross map community college course codes in aerospace and manufacturing with Boeing’s entry level job codes.
This cross mapping catalog is one of the first steps in creating a cohesive training program within Washington’s community college system that aligns with the knowledge, skills, and abilities that industry is looking for in its work force.
OSPI Joining the Movement
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the governing body for the state’s K-12 education system, has begun cross-mapping their technical education programs to the community and technical colleges in the state. Through these efforts, OSPI is working with participating high schools to enable students to earn stackable certificates for industry-focused training programs at community colleges upon graduation from high school.
Industry/Schools Working Together
- Amazing things happen when you mix industry and education. This synergy can be witnessed at Granite Falls High School in their manufacturing program, specifically their Urban Car. Working with their business partner, Fiberglass Supply, high school students are able to use innovative products provided by industry to create their award winning urban car. Not only does Fiberglass Supply provide materials, they also provide technical support within the classroom and by phone throughout the year.
- Through the work of the Center of Excellence for Aerospace and Boeing’s Aerospace Academic Alignment Team, local area skills centers have been the recipient of Boeing based curriculum for use in their aerospace and manufacturing classes. Through this sharing of curriculum Boeing and the skills centers are working together to ensure students are graduating with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for entry into the workforce.
If you have a best practice to tell us about, please contact us.