"Hidden" STEM Jobs Revealed in Infographic

In a recent FASTCompany article, a Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program study showed that 20% of the nation's jobs require advanced STEM knowledge and skills, a higher percentage than the 4-5% estimated by the National Science Foundation.  The article includes an infographic showing the wide range of STEM careers available, many of which do not require a baccalaureate or other advanced degree, but do need at least some post-secondary training and possibly certification and which enjoy higher compensation than those without a STEM focus.  The jobs also help bolster the metro economies where they are located.  This is What STEM Jobs Look Like .

LA County Office of Education and Probation Dept. Open Construction Training Program at Challenger Hall

A ribbon-cutting was held recently for a new construction trades training program at Challenger Hall in Lancaster.  Juvenile offenders will be trained in up to 20 trades skills, including carpentry, masonry, and plumbing in the "BuildingSkills:  Construction Careers for the 21st Century" program.  Completers may earn career-technical education credits for high school as well as a general industry certification offered by OSHA.  The program is planned to be expanded to three other camps, eventually serving up to 200 students annually.  http://hometownstation.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28748:probation-education-vocational-clarita-2012-03-28-14-32&catid=26:local-news&Itemid=97

New Manufacturing Jobs Require White-Collar Skills, Offer Rewards

In an article in the National Journal, modern manufacturers note that the job trend has moved from standard blue-collar occupations to those requiring white-collar skills, including teamwork, the ability to operate computers and robotic tools, as well as initiative and ability to work without close supervision.  Many of the manufacturing jobs today require at least some post-secondary training, including industry certifications, if not an associate's degree or strong background in STEM subjects.  The rewards for such skills will be higher pay and better working conditions than traditionally found in factories, although the numbers of workers employed may be fewer than in the past.  http://www.nationaljournal.com/whitehouse/in-manufacturing-blue-collar-jobs-need-white-collar-training-20120226

In a related piece, CNNMoney notes that $100k salaried manufacturing positions are open and often unfilled due to a lack of skilled workers.  Despite perceived media depictions of manufacturing as taking place in derelict buildings, companies note that the jobs are high-tech, high-skilled, high-wage, with workers making $50k after a one- to two-year apprenticeship period, or high hourly wages, often reaching $100k within ten years of entry.  http://money.cnn.com/2012/02/27/smallbusiness/youth_manufacturing_jobs/

Barstow Community College Opens Training Center; Partners with Excelsior Charter School

Barstow Community College has opened a new technical training center on State Street offering classes in "automotive and heavy equipment diesel mechanics, all levels of welding, landscaping, electrical and solar technology. By January the college hopes to start teaching construction and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning classes."  The college is also offering daytime sections accessible solely by students at the Barstow Excelsior Charter School campus; students can obtain a career/vocational certificate at the same time as their high school diploma through participation in the programs.  http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/opens-12045-training-vocational.html

US Dept. of Labor Awards Grants to National STEM Consortium for Community College Certificates

On Monday, 9/26/11, the US Department of Labor awarded nearly $20 million in grant funding to 10 community colleges in Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee, and Washington state, as part of a National STEM Consortium, to develop and implement one-year certificate programs in cybersecurity and other STEM fields.  The certificate programs are to be replicable at other community colleges nation-wide.  This is part of a $500 million grant package for training and workforce development along with the American Jobs Act.  http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/sch/2011/09/28-11/AACC-to-lead-20M-tech-jobs-project.html

Department of Energy Facilitates Advanced Manufacturing Partnership Activities

According to Industry Week, The US Department of Energy has announced that it is creating the "National Training and Education Resource (NTER), [which] will provide students with highly interactive and engaging materials in a variety of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) areas, as well as virtual technician training."  The NTER is designed to complement the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership, and is created in partnership with the  Manufacturing Institute, an affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies, and Macomb Community College.  Each of the partner organizations will utilize the technology tools to promote manufacturing skills and curricula.  http://www.industryweek.com/articles/doe_creating_partnerships_to_provide_it_tools_to_workforce_25033.aspx?SectionID=1

National Manufacturing Certification In the Offing

In response to the dearth of qualified applicants for current, technically complex manufacturing jobs in the United States, more than 30 states, supported by federal government and industry partners, are introducing a new national credentialing system for community college students and employers across manufacturing sectors.  The Manufacturing Skills Certification System, in association with certificate-granting entities such as the American Welding Society, is offering a portable, uniform system so that employers will know what they are getting.  This initiative complements the Obama Administration's call for additional funding for manufacturing jobs training; however, not all believe that such efforts are enough - some cite off-shoring as another reason that jobs are not filled.  http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2011/06/29/how-to-train-u-s-workers-back-into-manufacturing-jobs/?section=magazines_fortune