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In this work-in-progress paper, we present the preliminary results of semi-structured interviews conducted with advanced manufacturing (AM) employers in rural communities to understand the workplace skills they seek. This study, part of a larger effort to document Northwest Florida’s rural AM employers’ desired competencies, identified employability skills valuable for entry-level technician positions. The employers who participated in this study represented the growing AM industry sub-sectors of timber, pipeline, and textiles. Our findings suggest that rural employers face challenges common to all AM employers: 1) the need for workplace skills, such as a strong commitment to teamwork and ongoing professional development; and 2) difficulties in encouraging employees’ transitions from job to career pathway, thus increasing their in-field persistence. These results have implications for educational institutions that offer AM degrees and for graduates who seek rural employment in the AM field.
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Infusing 21st Century Skill Development into the Undergraduate Curriculum: The Formation of the iBEARS Network
ABSTRACT The demonstrated gap between skills needed and skills learned within a college education places both undergraduates seeking gainful employment and the employers seeking highly skilled workers at a disadvantage. Recent and up-and-coming college graduates should possess 21st century skills (i.e., communication, collaboration, problem solving), skills that employers deem necessary for the workplace. Research shows that the development of this skillset can help narrow the gap in producing highly skilled graduates for the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce. We propose the development of 21st century skills by utilizing the project-based learning (PjBL) framework and creating the inclusive biologist exploring active research with students (iBEARS) program, allowing undergraduate students to hone their 21st century skills and prepare for transition and success within the workplace.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2040595
- PAR ID:
- 10296100
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education
- Volume:
- 22
- Issue:
- 2
- ISSN:
- 1935-7877
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.00180-21
