The National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing
From Regional to National: Our Story
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National Science Foundation Funding
Our National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (NSF ATE) funding began in 2004 with a grant to create the Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing (RCNGM) in Connecticut through the Connecticut College of Technology. Two additional rounds of funding were awarded to expand the RCNGM in New England. In 2019, a final round of funding was awarded to transition the RCNGM into the Resource Center for Next Generation Manufacturing. In 2021, funding was awarded to the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing (NCNGM). The NCNGM builds on the proven strategies, resources, and accomplishments of the RCNGM as well as those of the national partners that are a part of the Center.
National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education Program
For over 30 years the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education Program (NSF ATE) has supported partnerships between two-year institutions of higher education, other academic institutions, industry and other entities to improve the education of technicians in science and engineering. Focused on technician education with leadership from community college faculty, the NSF ATE program funds projects that include curriculum development; professional development of college faculty and secondary school teachers; career pathway development for both students and incumbent workers; and other activities including applied research projects that advance the knowledge base related to technician education. You can learn more about the NSF ATE program through ATE Central, the ATE Impacts Book, and the annual Evalu-ATE Survey of ATE projects and centers.
MISSION
To cultivate and nurture relationships among new partners in collaboration with high school, community college, and university educators, industry, government agencies, ATE Centers, next generation manufacturing projects, and other stakeholders interested in further development to create a diverse technical workforce and a larger pool for National Science Foundation projects and programs.
One
Enhance and solidify relationships and communication among educators, businesses, industry, government, military, trade associations, and economic development agencies to broaden and strengthen efforts to prepare qualified technicians for the various NGM careers.
Two
Coordinate, create, and support the implementation of a Next Generation Manufacturing education repository for educators, industry, and the workforce education system that integrates industry-driven competencies needed to support Industry 4.0 and emerging technologies, including using Open Educational Resources (OER) and online methodologies.
Three
Coordinate, create, and support the implementation of professional development opportunities for educators using promising practices gleaned from ATE projects, centers, and national stakeholders to address current and future NGM technology competencies.
Four
Coordinate and promote careers in Next Generation Manufacturing through a national network that includes community colleges, ATE Centers and projects, and national organizations to support a diverse technician workforce through regional outreach, recruitment, mentoring, and dissemination initiatives across NGM technician education programs.
Let’s Work Together
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National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing
Connecticut State Community College Tunxis
271 Scott Swamp Road
Farmington, CT 06032