Developing the hands-on skills, and enthusiasm of young people into a productive engineering skill set, and career, is at the core of a program being launched by Pima Community College, Job Path, Xerocraft and InnovEngine. Marcus Engineering is participating as the voice of the industry, who seeks to hire talented, hands-on engineers. “The skills gap is becoming a serious problem” stated Dr. Patrick Marcus, president of Marcus Engineering. “The Universities continue to generate students strong in the science of engineering, but not quite as strong at the practical side of being an engineer.”
A MoU was signed between the parties on Friday May 13th, 2016 in recognition of the partnership and plans moving forward. Through this partnership PCC and University students, as well as community members, will be able to build knowledge that reaches beyond the classroom and into real-world industry. They will have opportunities to learn practical skills, participate in STEM innovation challenges, and team competitions based on AACC/NSF standards, and the all critical networking opportunities for jobs, resources, and talent.
By Fall 2016 the planning committee consisting of students, local businesses, and educators, will be looking to establish an innovation space capable of holding workshops, trainings, and one-to-one support. “I think that the event this morning was one big step forward in improving the capability and employability of Pima Engineering students, and I am honored that Xerocraft has the opportunity to participate, and enrich the lives, and education of those students.” Connor Barickman, President of Xerocraft.
Xerocraft is a hackerspace in Downtown Tucson, which provides an opportunity for community members from all walks of life to come together and design, innovate, and learn, they provide workshops, mentors, a space for learning, and is free and open to the public.
JobPath is a non-profit workforce development organization that serves the Tucson community by creating positive change in the lives of motivated adults through job training, skills development, and education. Our focus is sponsoring unemployed and underemployed local adults of Tucson and Pima County in long-term education and job training programs.
Marcus Engineering provides high-end electronics engineering and product development services. Their core capabilities include sensor systems, low power wireless, power electronics, and embedded systems for medical, industrial and consumer applications.
InnovEngine is an organization dedicated to creating superior engineering resources through the establishment of a community resource (MIT Fab Lab PLUS) for innovation and collaboration centered around practical engineering skills.
