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At least 37 records · Page 2

Workforce Development Survey Results: Industry, Government Laboratories, Academia, and Recent Graduates

Herein, we describe the results of the survey from the TMS Education committee. The committee designated a subcommittee on Workforce Development to survey professionals in industry/government laboratories (I/G), academia (A), and recent graduates (RG) to gain insights into the alignment of materials science curricula with workforce needs. The survey project began with a charter to explore any disconnects that might exist between university materials curriculum and workforce knowledge, skill, and ability needs for MSE-related careers, and also highlight critical areas of excellence that should be preserved. Focused surveys for each category were developed and received over 150 responses, including 83 responses from industry/government, 40 responses from recent graduates, 29 responses from academia.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

US Department of Energy Better Plants Program’s Approach to Manufacturing Workforce Development

Multiple studies suggest that by 2030, millions of jobs may go unfilled because of a significant skills gap between the current manufacturing workforce and the workforce needed to support the shift toward advanced and sustainable manufacturing. According to US manufacturers, finding the right talent is more difficult now than in previous years. Developing a well-trained workforce will play a critical role in transforming the manufacturing sector into a net-zero contributor of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To help reduce energy, water, waste, and greenhouse gas emissions as well as build a strong, sustainable manufacturing workforce, the US Department of Energy created the voluntary Better Plants program in 2011. This study discusses the program’s various workforce development activities, including in-plant trainings, virtual in-plant trainings, and in-person bootcamps. The target audiences, training objectives, and topics designed to upskill workers for a low-carbon manufacturing future are described. Feedback that was collected (e.g., new training topics, certifications, hands-on activities) while working with more than 270 US manufacturers for the past 12 years on workforce development are discussed. Finally, some strategies are proposed to address the feedback.

Guo, Wei↗

Education and Workforce Development for Critical Minerals and Materials Supply Chains (Workshop Report)

The Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO) aims to improve the efficiency, productivity, environmental impact, and competitiveness of the manufacturing sector. Education and workforce development (EWD) efforts are essential for AMMTO to achieve these goals, and for this reason the current and future EWD landscape in the critical minerals and materials (CMM) sector requires renewed attention.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Constellation Program Design Challenges as Opportunities for Educational Outreach and Workforce Development for Senior Design Classes

The Texas Space Grant Consortium (TSGC) and the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) both have programs that present design challenges for university senior design classes that offer great opportunities for educational outreach and workforce development. These design challenges have been identified by NASA engineers and researchers as real design problems faced by the Constellation Program in its exploration missions and architecture. Student teams formed in their senior design class select and then work on a design challenge for one or two semesters. The senior design class follows the requirements set by their university, but it must also comply with the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) in order to meet the class academic requirements. Based on a one year fellowship at a TSGC university under the NASA Administrator's Fellowship Program (NAFP) and several years of experience, results and metrics are presented on the NASA Design Challenge Program.

Trevino, Robert C.↗

Workforce Development Opportunities Through the US Department of Energy’s Better Plants Program 2025

The increasing global demand for energy underscores the importance of energy efficiency and sustainability. To address these challenges in the US manufacturing sector, the US Department of Energy has implemented the Better Plants and Better Climate Challenge programs. These initiatives aim to reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and water usage in industrial facilities. This paper highlights a critical component of these programs, workforce development, which equips individuals with the skills and knowledge to implement energy-saving measures. Through the variety of training opportunities discussed, including bootcamps, in-plant trainings, virtual trainings, and annual events, the programs are able to cater to a wide range of industrial participants, from entry-level professionals to experienced engineers. By fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing and by leveraging certifications offered by organizations like the Association of Energy Engineers, these initiatives empower individuals to drive innovation and sustainable practices.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

FEMP's Workforce Development Offerings

The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) offers training to develop and sustain a high-performance federal workforce that constructs, operates, and maintains energy-efficient and cost-effective federal facilities and fleets.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Leveraging T&TA Plans to Support State Workforce Development Needs

This presentation talks about how to maximize training and technical assistance (T&TA) budgets within the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). Grantees share creative ways they've used T&TA funds to support workforce recruitment and retention, staff training, work quality, monitoring, and more.

ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION,↗

Shaping NASA's Earth Science Enterprise Workforce Development Initiative to Address Industry Needs

It has been well recognized that the commercial remote sensing industry will expand in new directions, resulting in new applications, thus requiring a larger, more skilled workforce to fill the new positions. In preparation for this change, NASA has initiated a Remote Sensing Professional Development Program to address the workforce needs of this emerging industry by partnering with the private sector, academia, relevant professional societies, and other R&D organizations. Workforce needs will in part include understanding current industry concerns, personnel competencies, current and future skills, growth rates, geographical distributions, certifications, and sources of pre-service and in-service personnel. Dave Rosage of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and a panel of MAPPS members will lead a discussion to help NASA specifically address private firms' near and long-term personnel needs to be included in NASA's Remote Sensing Professional Development Program. In addition, Dave Rosage will present perspectives on how remote sensing technologies are evolving, new NASA instruments being developed, and what future workforce skills are expected to support these new developments.

Rosage, David↗

Situated Visualization of Photovoltaic Module Performance for Workforce Development

The rapid growth of the solar energy industry requires advanced educational tools to train the next generation of engineers and technicians. We present a novel system for situated visualization of photovoltaic (PV) module performance, leveraging a combination of PV simulation, sun-sky position, and head-mounted augmented reality (AR). Our system is guided by four principles of development: simplicity, adaptability, collaboration, and maintainability, realized in six components. Users interactively manipulate a physical module's orientation and shading referents with immediate feedback on the module's performance.

augmented reality↗

Situated Visualization of Photovoltaic Module Performance for Workforce Development: Preprint

The rapid growth of the solar energy industry requires advanced educational tools to train the next generation of engineers and technicians. We present a novel system for situated visualization of photovoltaic (PV) module performance, leveraging a combination of PV simulation, sun-sky position, and head-mounted augmented reality (AR). Our system is guided by four principles of development: simplicity, adaptability, collaboration, and maintainability, realized in six components. Users interactively manipulate a physical module's orientation and shading referents with immediate feedback on the module's performance.

augmented reality↗

Situated Visualization of Photovoltaic Module Performance for Workforce Development

The rapid growth of the solar energy industry requires advanced educational tools to train the next generation of engineers and technicians. We present a novel system for situated visualization of photovoltaic (PV) module performance, leveraging a combination of PV simulation, sun-sky position, and head-mounted augmented reality (AR). Our system is guided by four principles of development: simplicity, adaptability, collaboration, and maintainability, realized in six components. Users interactively manipulate a physical module's orientation and shading referents with immediate feedback on the module's performance.

augmented reality↗

Assessment of ROI for Workforce Development Efforts National & Homeland Security

The IDEAL Professional Engagement project at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) aims to enhance the laboratory's workforce diversity and inclusivity efforts, focusing on the U.S. National and Homeland Security mission areas. This project involves researching and evaluating opportunities for INL to engage in various professional events, particularly cyber conferences, to support recruitment and professional development. The project involved several key tasks: compiling comprehensive information on national laboratories and their mission statements, developing a deep understanding of INL’s role and efforts in national and homeland security, and identifying and engaging key stakeholders. Interviews were conducted with a set of targeted questions, and the findings were analyzed to identify common themes, insights, and actionable recommendations. Additionally, relevant upcoming cyber conferences were identified, various sponsorship levels and their associated benefits were evaluated, and the recruitment potential of these conferences was assessed. A detailed cost analysis was performed, including registration fees and travel expenses, and a cost-benefit analysis was conducted to evaluate the financial viability and potential return on investment (ROI) of conference participation and sponsorship. Based on the research and analysis, actionable recommendations for conference participation and sponsorship were formulated, ensuring alignment with INL’s mission and diversity goals. Preliminary results include a comprehensive list of relevant cyber conferences, a detailed cost analysis, and a set of actionable recommendations for future conference participation and sponsorship. The analysis highlights the financial requirements and geographical distribution of these conferences, providing valuable insights for INL's engagement strategies. This project underscores the importance of strategic engagement in professional events to attract and develop a diverse and skilled workforce, ultimately supporting INL’s mission areas in U.S. National and Homeland Security.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Workforce Development for U.S. Hydropower: Key Trends and Findings

Hydropower has long been the nation's largest source of renewable energy, and the future U.S. hydropower workforce will play an important role in the future of the U.S. electricity grid. This report provides a brief assessment of the current U.S. hydropower industry workforce and educational programs, as well as potential future hydropower workforce needs.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

1.4.2.403 - Water Power STEM Workforce Development (Hydro)

As interest in renewable energy grows, water power technologies will continue to play a robust and growing role. However, the industry needs new talent to spur innovation and to support industry needs. With one-quarter of the domestic hydropower workforce retiring in the coming decade, the need to fill the workforce pipeline has never been more critical. The lack of new hydropower development has limited the number of educational programs focused on this sector at all levels of education. NREL has a long track record of working to address educational needs across the renewable energy spectrum. Leveraging this track record, this project brought the Hydropower STEM Portal to water power stakeholders fueled by information from a multitude of sectors, our partnership with the Hydropower Foundation, NEED, and others. The team has also sought to integrate activities with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, to increase dissemination opportunities and interfaces. The purpose of the portal is to be a one-stop shop to information geared at inspiring the next-generation water power professional. NREL also leverages experience in engaging with stakeholders to understand barriers to technology adoption to identify issues and drivers, provide feedback to the R&D community, work to clarify misperceptions, and inform decisions to facilitate market adoption. The outcome of this work is a more successful and diverse water power industry based on a motivated and better-trained workforce.

ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY,HYDRO ENERGY↗

Implementing a Workforce Development Pipeline

Through science, technology, mathematics, and engineering, our nation continues to lead the world in the development and utilization of new technologies. Whether related to our health, to the environment, or to our production of material goods, science, mathematics, engineering, and technology are integral and essential parts of daily life for virtually everyone in the United States and around the globe. However, the understanding of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology by most Americans is inadequate for full participation in this increasingly technological world. This reflects the level of education in these areas most Americans have received. To have a competent workforce for the future, we must assist education in developing students for future jobs.

Billy Hix↗

Unique Education and Workforce Development for NASA Engineers

NASA engineers are some of the world's best-educated graduates, responsible for technically complex, highly significant scientific programs. Even though these professionals are highly proficient in traditional analytical competencies, there is a unique opportunity to offer continuing education that further enhances their overall scientific minds. With a goal of maintaining the Agency's passionate, "best in class" engineering workforce, the NASA Academy of Program/Project & Engineering Leadership (APPEL) provides educational resources encouraging foundational learning, professional development, and knowledge sharing. NASA APPEL is currently partnering with the scientific community's most respected subject matter experts to expand its engineering curriculum beyond the analytics and specialized subsystems in the areas of: understanding NASA's overall vision and its fundamental basis, and the Agency initiatives supporting them; sharing NASA's vast reservoir of engineering experience, wisdom, and lessons learned; and innovatively designing hardware for manufacturability, assembly, and servicing. It takes collaboration and innovation to educate an organization that possesses such a rich and important history~and a future that is of great global interest. NASA APPEL strives to intellectually nurture the Agency's technical professionals, build its capacity for future performance, and exemplify its core values~alJ to better enable NASA to meet its strategic vision~and beyond.

Forsgren, Roger C.↗