Mentoring a Grant Proposal Project Development Process for Program Improvement in Two-Year College Technician Education: Lessons Learned and Outcomes from a Pilot Project

摘要

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) have become increasingly central to U.S. economic competitiveness and growth. Long-term strategies to maintain and increase living standards and promote opportunity will require unprecedented coordinated efforts among public, private, and not-for-profit entities to promote innovation and to prepare an adequate supply of qualified STEM workers that are capable of translating knowledge and skills into new processes, products, and services. The National Science Foundation's (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program has been improving the productivity of American industries by increasing the nation's technical workforce and developing best practices in technician education since its inception in 1992. The Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration's (ETA) Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) Initiative focuses on the role of talent development in driving regional economic competitiveness, increased job growth, and new opportunities for American workers.