Curriculum That Works

Developing curriculum that will train the employees of the future is a key focus

Center of Excellence works with a lot of industry groups regarding the development of useful and effective curriculum for careers in aerospace and advanced manufacturing. For example, the Center has worked with Boeing over the past couple of years to identify the key elements of curriculum that are important to them. This allows manufacturers like Boeing to hire future workers that understand how they operate and how to best do the jobs that Boeing offers.

Other manufacturers and companies are participating in this type of activity with an end goal of presenting colleges with the best training curriculum for their students. Ultimately, this level of collaboration will enable community colleges to turn out better trained and work-ready students. Those trained for aerospace and advanced manufacturing careers will have an advantage in the competitive workforce because of these alliances.

This model elimates the silo effect of each college operating independently without an eye on training a workforce for the State of Washington, and embraces the a statewide/collaborative view.

Call to action to recognize a standardization of curriculum and skills

Center of Excellence is passionate about standardization of curriculum and consistency between community college programs within aerospace and advanced manufacturing. Working with industry groups/manufacturing companies and educational groups to collaborate on training and curriculum is key to our success as a state that can support significant growth in manufacturing and aerospace.

Resources and engagement

Center of Excellence is engaged in the following areas for the development of curriculum that works.

Center of Excellence is working with the Office of the Superintendent for Public Instruction (OSPI) and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges on Rigorous Programs of Study.

From Career and Technical Programs of Study: A Design Framework
Rigorous Programs of Study - Defined

The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV) calls for states to offer “career and technical programs of study,” which may be adopted by local educational agencies and postsecondary institutions, as an option to students (and their parents as appropriate) when planning for and completing future coursework.

These programs, at a minimum, must:

Incorporate and align secondary and postsecondary education elements,
Include academic and CTE content in a coordinated, non-duplicative progression of courses,
Offer the opportunity, where appropriate, for secondary students to acquire postsecondary credits, andLead to an industry-recognized credential or certificate at the postsecondary level, or an associate or baccalaureate degree.

STEM Education

Center of Excellence is working with groups to provide high schools and two year colleges with science, technology, engineering and math components. The goal is to provide more outreach to middle and high schools within STEM exploratory options and formal training.

Career and Technical Education General Advisory Committees/Councils

Center of Excellence is proud to participate in a number of regional Advisory Councils for the development of career and technical pathways and programs for high school students.

Aerospace Curriculum Alignment Team (ACAT)

Center of Excellence is leading the ACAT group that meets in Everett, WA on a quarterly basis to discuss and develop programs and curriculum needs between leaders in aerospace and manufacturing, community colleges and school districts.

Partnership with Washington's Workforce Training Board

Center of Excellence is working in workforce development to develop strategic plans around high skills, high wage positions that can be created in Washington State which can affect curriculum and program development.

Recommendation

Review CareerBridge.wa.gov for information about careers in Washington State.