A report by the staffing company, Express Employment International, investigates skilled technical worker's attitudes on several questions, such as what do workers think about their work? Do they feel confident, anxious, or uncertain about their employment and futures?

The report reveals several positive perspectives:

• Over 90 percent of skilled technical workers are proud of their work 
• 74 percent of United States skilled technical workers have a good career path
• 73 percent believe more young adults should pursue careers in their field
• 67 percent believe COVID changed how society views their work

Skilled technical workers are defined as employees who perform manual labor and work in agriculture, automotive services, construction, maintenance, manufacturing, transpiration, or utilities. Although six in 10 skilled technical workers think society looks down on their profession, 60 percent of workers believe having a skilled job is respected more now than it was ten years ago. 

Read the full report on Express Employment International's website. 

A screenshot of the MTTIA's website with information on their conference

Technology is changing at a rapid pace. It is crucial for a transportation teacher to stay up-to-date.

At Midwest Teachers of Transportation and Industrial Areas Annual Conference (MTTIA), there are hands-on training sessions with the latest vehicle technologies and classroom teaching strategies from professional trainers and OE manufactures. MTTIA features advanced hands-on training in the areas of: Automotive, Auto Body and, Diesel Equipment and Heavy Truck. MTTIA also features introductory hands-on training in the areas of: Small Engines/Powersports and Welding.

This conference is intended for secondary and post-secondary Auto, Auto Body, Truck, Diesel, and Small Engine teachers in the five-state area of the Upper Midwest

The conference is from August 3 to August 5th at Central Lakes College, Brainerd Minnesota. Visit their website to find out more information on the conference.

Cover of the 2022/23 ATE Impacts book.

As a part of the ATE Impacts 2022-2023 book, and in collaboration with Vox Television,  the ATE Impacts project is excited to release several videos highlighting the experiences of ATE's community. These videos feature students, administrators, educators, and industry partners sharing how ATE initiatives have impacted their lives and careers. The videos can be accessed on ATE's Impacts website.

Videos come from Pellissippi Community College, South Central College, Columbus State Community College, and Asnuntuck Community College and are from 4-6 minutes long. 

The ATE Impacts book showcases the role that two-year community and technical colleges play in building the skilled technical workforce and provide evidence of the United States’ critical economic need for technician education. The text, photos, and data throughout the 2022-2023 publication highlights the innovative and exciting work being done by the ATE community and by the people central to those efforts. Free copies of the ATE Impacts book can be obtained via the book request form.

An infographic from 3M showing two different views on science in everyday life

A new report from 3M, the international science-based manufacturer, shows persistent gaps in views on STEM and the skilled trades. 3M surveyed 17 countries with over 1000 participants per country. The reports highlights several key points of view on STEM:

• 79% of participants agree that science companies would have a greater positive impact on society if they had greater workforce diversity and representation
• 69% of survey participants agree that underrepresented minority groups often do not have equal access to STEM education
• 57% of survey participants see a gender gap in the STEM workforce
  • 56% believe there’s a racial/ethnic gap
  • 40% observe an LGBTQ+ gap

The full report can be read and downloaded here, and 3M's website has more information and breakdowns of the report. 

The blue and green logo for Experience STEAM, featuring a gear cog

Running from August 10-14, Experience STEAM is a week-long STEAM event allowing attendees to engage with hands-on STEAM activities from various NSF ATE projects and partners. Part of the Mall of America’s 30th Birthday Celebration in Bloomington, MN, the event features a mall-wide STEAM carnival, professional development opportunities, STEM camps, and competitions.  

This event is an excellent opportunity for your project or center to start outreach - the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN, has over 100,000 daily visitors. It is an ideal setting to disseminate information and engage the public with your work. The event's host, NCAT, asks that you bring a hands-on activity to help facilitate these valuable conversations. There is no charge to participate in the event other than travel. There are also opportunities to apply for professional development support.

Sign up here by July 15th to participate in Experience STEAM (slots are limited) 

For more information or questions, please get in touch with NCAT 

To register for the event, sign up here.

Logo for Center for Renewable Energy Advanced Technological Education (CREATE), which shows three windmills

Mark your calendar for the Sixth Annual Wisconsin STEM Educator Solar Institute! Perfect for STEM educators or professors wanting more hands-on instruction on solar energy—this institute runs for three days, from July 12th to July 14th. 

Conducted by the Center for Renewable Energy Advanced Technological Education (CREATE), this institute will show participants how to use tools of the trade to install and commission a residential-size solar photovoltaic array. Necessary safety measures and electrical principles will be reviewed and practiced. Participants will also perform (and take with them) ready-to-use hands-on classroom lab activities that will bring solar energy to life in the classroom.

Please apply for the Institute by using this Google Form, and more information on CREATE can be found on their website.

Three college students sitting at a table with one of them working on a laptop

Maine has temporarily started a free college program to persuade high school students affected by the pandemic. The program goes into effect this summer and covers two years of tuition.

“If this opens the door and gets those students engaged and thinking about college, it’ll be the best thing for Maine, the best thing for our economy,” said David Daigler, president of the Maine Community College System, according to Inside Higher Ed. 

Maine's governor, Janet Mills, recently signed a supplemental state budget that included $20 million in one-time funding to create the program. The funds become available in July. 

Read more about the program in Governor Mills press release and Maine's website promoting free community college.

Image of the CCPI Logo

Did you see our tweet? We are excited to broadcast this new funding opportunity! 

CCPI-STEM Fellows program invites applications for Graduate Fellowships from individuals who are pursuing or beginning to pursue graduate degrees and engage in research related to STEM education and workforce development in community colleges.

The CCPI-STEM Fellows program, funded by ATE Central at the National Science Foundation (NSF) recognizes and supports community college faculty, administrators, and other individuals aspiring to prepare a workforce educated in STEM-related skills. 

The application deadline is September 15, 2022. Eligible candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Check CCPI's website for more information on the application and criteria. 

Other questions can be directed to Dr. Ashok Agrawa at Ashok@AgrawalAdvisory.com

The Federal Aviation Administration's logo for Drone Safety Day 2022

This year's Drone Safety Day 2022 is on June 18th, hosted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

This day highlights the importance of drone awareness as drones are the fastest-growing aviation area with over 860,000 drones registered and over 260,000 Remote Pilots have been certified, according to the FAA. This year's message on drone safety is Fly RIGHT: 

• Register your drone – DroneZone
• Interact with others
• Gain knowledge
• Have a safety plan
• Trust and Train

The FAA is focusing on five topics surrounding drone awareness. Education on how to safely operate drones and how drones are being used in education. Equity in opening opportunities for all operators. Highlight the economic, societal, and safety benefits of using drone technology. Emergencies like learning how drones are used in emergency situations such as natural disasters, search and rescue, firefighting, public safety, and other uses. Finally, environment such as understanding the environmental and sustainability benefits from drone technology. 

The FAA's website has more information on the upcoming Drone Safety Day, including events, resources, and opportunities to get involved. 

If you are working with a currently funded ATE project, please join the ATE Office Hours this June 10 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm CST for a special discussion on Drone Safety Day. Drone Safety Day is June 18th, and highlights drone awareness events across the country.

ATE will be holding this event with special guests from the National Center for Autonomous Technologies (NCAT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). ATE and these guests will facilitate a fun and interactive session for the ATE community to learn more about Drone Safety Day and how your project can engage in the day. NCAT is hosting information for Drone Safety Day; their website has more information about the Drone Safety Day events and topics such as education, equity, economics, emergencies, and the environment. 

ATE Office Hours is a space for the ATE community to communicate and learn from each other, discover collaborators, and find solutions for challenges.  Each interactive video conference is limited to 50 ATE grantees.

Once you sign up, you'll get a confirmation email containing the video conference link. If you'd like to be invited to upcoming ATE Office Hours events, please send us an email with...