Building the Optics Technician Workforce
Optics manufacturing companies play a critical role in building the next generation of skilled optics technicians. Utilizing an ecosystem model, AmeriCOM coordinates the activities of industrial, academic, nonprofit, and government partners to establish a training facility within the advanced manufacturing program of regional colleges and vocationally oriented schools. A marketing outreach campaign promotes careers in optics and recruits students into the program.
DPOC member organizations can assist in the following ways:
- When a new optics technician training program is established, it is critically important to understand the scope of need for technicians and the particular skill sets that will be utilized on the job. With this information, the college can design the appropriate training program. DPOC members can serve as point people with local optics manufacturers to gather this information.
- Once the needs for training are understood, AmeriCOM works with the college and local industry to identify the kind of equipment that is needed to outfit a teaching lab. AmeriCOM will then purchase this equipment. DPOC members can assist with sourcing and donating equipment, as well as providing tools and supplies for use by the college.
- With the growing need for skilled technicians, there is the parallel need for instructors to provide training. Community colleges look to industry to supply instructors and lab technicians to teach or co-teach courses, specific modules, or shorter-term workshops. DPOC member companies that make staff available to teach benefit by having the “first look” at qualified candidates.
- Students benefit greatly from internships and shorter-term job-shadowing externships. DPOC members are encouraged to build these experiences into the hiring strategies.
There are currently eight optics manufacturing training programs in place or under evaluation by AmeriCOM.
