2+2+2 Robotics Articulation Agreement Signed Between California U. and A.W. Beattie Career Center
The Technology Collaborative secures $160K in state funding for program. McKeesport Area Technology Center joins program
The A.W. Beattie Career Center Director Kathryn Bamberger and California University of Pennsylvania’s Dean of the Eberly College of Science and Technology, Dr. Leonard Colelli, signed an articulation agreement that provides a means by which graduates of the Robotics Engineering Technology Program at Beattie can receive advanced standing credit in Associate Degree programs offered by Cal U.
The Technology Collaborative (TTC), a statewide economic development organization that supports the growth of Pennsylvania’s world-class robotics, cyber-security and digital technologies industries, also announced today that it was awarded $160,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to continue the 2+2+2 Robotics partnership into its second year. This funding supports program expansion at Beattie and Cal U. and brings the McKeesport Area Technology Center into the partnership.
“The 2 + 2 + 2 robotics program represents a significant step in California University’s ongoing efforts to meet the workforce needs of southwestern Pennsylvania,” said Cal U Provost Dr. Donald J. Thompson. “Our program is being developed in close cooperation with Beattie and industry advisors to ensure that it meets industry standards and enhances student employability. An important feature of the 2 + 2 + 2 program is that it provides multiple exit and entry points for students so that their individual needs can be met.” In Summer 2005, The Technology Collaborative received a $200,000 grant from the Pennsylvania DCED Workforce Leadership program to support the formation of the partnership and to put in place a unique and articulated robotics technology curriculum. TTC’s role is to facilitate the program, and to align it with industry to ensure that the program will meet the growing and underserved technician and technologist needs of the region’s robotics companies.
As a result of that original round of funding, partner agreements were put into place and the pilot 2+2+2 robotics career pathway educational program was implemented. The workforce development partnership connects a high school robotics program at A.W. Beattie Career Center to Associate and Baccalaureate degree programs at California University of Pennsylvania and brings robotics technology case studies and hands-on laboratory experiences into computer technology classes at Beattie. Students who successfully complete this program will receive 15 credits of advanced placement into associate degree programs in applied engineering and technology at California University. Throughout the project, Carnegie Mellon University faculty and staff provide expert advice and leadership on the curriculum.
“Our goal at Beattie is to open doors for our students to follow a career path that would lead to work in the robotics field,” said Bamberger. “Because this program works to meet training needs for robots used in civilian markets and by the armed forces, which is indeed a noble goal, we are committed and excited to be working with California University to produce the most highly skilled robotics workforce in the country.” “The innovative nature of this project is found in the collaboration between the partners,” commented Dr. David Landis, Vice President Education and Training, The Technology Collaborative. “We have high school partners at Beattie and McKeesport who provide the first “2” years of the program. Cal U provides the next “2+2” years of associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs. CMU’s Robotics Academy provides curriculum development and support, and TTC maintains ties with the industrial and government stakeholders in robotics. It’s truly a win-win for all parties involved, especially our students and the growing regional robotics industry.”
Preparing students to be competitive in an increasingly technologically advanced international workforce has been a priority for Cal U’s AET Department, including training for jobs that have yet to be created. That focus is now bolstered with this new and innovative robotics career pathway partnership at California.
“A few companies have working robots that are currently in use by the military; and others, such as BAE Systems in Fayette County, are developing prototypes and expect to start production in a couple years,” said Dr. Stanley A. Komacek, chair and professor of Cal’s AET Department. “As new robotics technologies develop, they create a demand for individuals within the workforce with new knowledge and skills who can design, produce, operate, maintain and service them. The workforce demand, in turn, places a demand on schools and universities to respond with appropriate educational programs. This project puts Cal U on the leading edge in developing an education for agile robotics. We are developing a program that can serve as a national paradigm to enhance workforce development in robotics. And, our professors are updating their capabilities, so they provide our students with state-of-the-art knowledge and skills in robotics.”
About AW Beattie Career Center
The A.W. Beattie Career Center serves high school students from Avonworth, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel Area, Hampton Township, North Allegheny, North Hills, Northgate, Pine-Richland and Shaler Area. It offers advanced technical training, career development, business ethics and career-related employment opportunities in 16 technical areas. Students may enroll in a one, two, or three year technical program and must have completed the ninth grade in his/her member high school.
About California University of Pennsylvania
California University of Pennsylvania, a comprehensive regional institution of higher education and a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a diverse caring and scholarly learning community dedicated to excellence in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional studies that is devoted to building character and careers, broadly defined. To advance its ultimate mission of building the character and careers of students, the University shall focus its efforts on three goals: student achievement and success, institutional excellence, and community service. The University is inspired by its core values of integrity, civility, and responsibility.
About The Technology Collaborative
The Technology Collaborative’s mission is to help increase Pennsylvania’s technologybased economy by developing collaborating industry clusters that leverage the region’s world-class assets in Advanced Electronics, Cyber Security, and Agile Robotics. TTC is helping to create an ideal environment for business expansion by leveraging the region’s existing high-tech base, and combining it with resources and support from local universities, private foundations, regional development organizations, federal, state, and local government, and industry. They enable regional economic growth by utilizing a “business friendly” environment to attract new companies to the region, help local companies grow, and foster start-ups.
