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P R I M EPartnership for Regional Innovation

in Manufacturing Education

Dr. Pearley CunninghamCo-Principle Investigator - PRIME

Department Head – Engineering TechnologyCommunity College of Allegheny County

Pittsburgh, PA

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What is PRIME ?

• Industry-driven, five-college system

delivering innovative manufacturing

education and career development in

Southwestern Pennsylvania

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Academic Partners

Community College of Allegheny CountyDr. Pearley Cunningham

Butler County Community CollegeDr. Sunday Faseyitan

Westmoreland County Community College Dr. Robert Myers

Robert Morris University Dr. Winston Erevelles

Penn State New Kensington Prof. D. Huggins

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Manufacturing in Southwestern Pennsylvania

• 3,800 manufacturing firms - 2nd largest private sector employer, but largest annual payroll

• 166,000 employees• Wages

– $40,000 average manufacturing wage

– $28,000 average other sector wage

• Effects of retirement

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ADtranz

Oberg Industries

Cutler-Hammer

Penn State Tool and Die

Medrad

Penn United Technology

General Motors

J & L Specialty Steels

Industry focus groupsIndustry focus groups

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Results of industry focus groups

• Where newly hired employees are deficient– Business skills – Communication skills– Engineering fundamentals and problem solving – International perspective– Manufacturing - processes, controls, and systems– Materials– Project management – Quality– Teamwork

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The PRIME solutionThe PRIME solution

An integrated, innovative, and systematic An integrated, innovative, and systematic approach to manufacturing educationapproach to manufacturing education

Meet industry needs

Address regional economic development concernsProvide students a

flexible and accessible system

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Innovative DisseminationHands On

LearningEquipment & FacilitiesNew Program

& CurriculaPre-College and Feeder System

PRIME – The Integrated Paradigm

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PRIME Academic Programs

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PRIME activities at individual institutions

• Accreditable degree programs

• New or modified curricula and facilities

• Industry steering committees

• Internships

• Articulation agreements

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Activities at RMU

• B.S. in Manufacturing Engineering (4 yrs)• Builds on strong communication and business

programs• The Computer Integrated Engineering Enterprise -

a learning factory– Integration of mathematics, sciences, and basic

engineering concepts into advanced courses

– Integration of engineering practice into the learning process

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RMU Learning Factory - Components

• Materials and Testing• Automated Machining with Auto ID• Assembly Cell with Auto ID• Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing• Metrology and Reverse Engineering• Manufacturing Processes• Machine Tool Monitoring• Material Handling Systems• Virtual Enterprise• Computer Learning Center & Software• Mobile Learning Factory

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Activities at CCAC

• 4 new A.S. Programs in Manufacturing Technology degrees (2 yrs) - Controls, Nanofabrication, Basic Machines, Welding

• Technology to Engineering bridge (3 yrs)• Focus: control of the manufacturing process through

automation, metrology, and quality• The Advanced Manufacturing Academy• Addressing pre-employment training and the

upgrade of skills for advancement• Collaborative work with RMC

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Activities at BCCC

• A.S. in Manufacturing Technology degrees (2 yrs)• Program options in tool and die manufacturing

and plastic part manufacturing• Laboratory component

– Manufacturing Processes laboratory in a new building

– Utilization of Penn United facilities for tool and die

• Role of the Advanced Manufacturing Group in steering the project

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Activities at WCCC

• A.S. in Manufacturing Technology degrees (2 yrs)• Manufacturing Technology program options

– Chemical Processes, Electronics Assembly, Manufacturing Processes, Manufacturing Maintenance, and Nanofabrication

• Integration of learning modules across the curriculum

• Consolidation of laboratories and classrooms under one roof

• Blend of theoretical and experiential learning

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Activities at PSNK

• A.S./B.S. in Manufacturing Engineering Technology at PSNK (2/4 yrs) [in process]

• Program options in tool and die, electro-optics, and general manufacturing

• Availability of plastics & nano-fabrication options at other campuses

• Industry-focused certificate programs• Laboratory component at the University of

Pittsburgh Manufacturing Assistance Center

Vo Tech Programs:e.g.

Manufacturing 2000

Community Colleges: CCAC, BCCC,

and WCCC

Four-Year Institutions:

RMU & PSNK

K-12Unemployed

Underemployed

PRIME Educational System

Industry

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PRIME Feeder System

Manufacturing Feeder System

• Manufacturing Pathways Initiative (Summer)

• Pittsburgh Adventures in Technology (School Year)

Manufacturing Pathways Initiative

• Prepare young people to enter the manufacturing industry directly upon graduation from high school or to enroll in post-secondary education in manufacturing (PRIME schools)– 60 hours of classroom and laboratory

instruction including industry tours– 120 hours of work-based experiences

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Manufacturing Pathways

• Students worked with the FAMS Curriculum learning team work, manufacturing process and information gathering80 students in Summer of 2002

42 Companies

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Bicycle Module

Students assemble electronic “coin toss”

College intern explains electronic circuit

Pittsburgh Adventures in Technology

• Teams will be given a project/problem from an Industry Partner

• Have a timeline and a panel of industry mentors and teachers.

• Showcase Event – present ideas and how the problem was solved

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Role of Industry

• Champions• Steering committees• Projects• Internships• Jobs• Equipment• Financial support• Networking

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PRIME Funding

• SME Education Foundation – MEP (000511)• Heinz Endowments• Alcoa Foundation• National Science Foundation – ATE (DUE

0101637)• USX Foundation • U.S. Department of Labor (Westmoreland-Fayette

WIB)

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Impact - 1

• Closing competency gaps cited by industry

• Engaged students seeking pre-employment education or a skills upgrade for career advancement

• Created a model for competitive collaboration and regional development

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Impact - 2

• Linking K-12, certificate and apprenticeship programs to a region-wide articulated system

• Creating a regional network for learning at different levels, at times and locations best suited to new and incumbent technicians and engineers

• Engaged the ongoing and vigorous participation of industry partners to guide and improve manufacturing education

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For more information

Visit us at www.primepa.org

or

Call us at (888)279-2241