About the Project

This project takes a deep dive into the impacts of community college manufacturing programs on regional economic development. The $2 million, four-year project is funded by the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (NSF ATE). The study’s guiding hypothesis is that ATE, and community college technician education programs in general, form an infrastructure that creates both a workforce of skilled technicians and an ecosystem of innovation. These two outcomes, when injected into the economy, increase workplace productivity and innovation, thus spurring regional economic development.

To achieve its goals, this research project is taking a multiprong approach that includes: a review of the NSF ATE projects funded in recent years; case studies of colleges that are connected with regional economic development initiatives; and a national quantitative analysis of community college technician education and economic development interactions.

Our case study of eight community colleges uses qualitative data from colleges to understand the role of community college technician education programs and economic development. To understand the relationship between these programs and their region’s employers, the research team is conducting a survey of manufacturing firms in the local regions surrounding the eight community colleges examined in our case study to gather their perspectives on technicians trained by community and technical colleges. With this data, we aim to assess manufacturers’ perceptions of skills and training, including their relationships with local community and technical colleges, their methods of skill development, and how they may be utilizing technicians trained by these colleges in plant operations and innovation.