Technical Education

As part of Gov. Brian Kemp's 2022 fiscal budget for Georgia, Athens Technical College will receive money for a new 45,000-square-foot building that will house programs for industrial systems technology and mechatronics.

The "Tech District Reboot Rally" at San Antonio's new Legacy Park last week hosted university representatives, students, public officials and executives from the downtown area's nearly 100 IT and cybersecurity firms.

The consolidation of two early learning programs, the personalized Homer program for very young children with the coding-focused codeSpark for slightly older kids, aims to prepare a new generation for STEM careers.

Given the robust demand for people with doctoral degrees in computer science, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro will start admitting students to a full-time, on-campus program in fall 2022.

The University of Texas at San Antonio has named a founding director for its new School of Data Science, David Mongeau, who will lead the new facility as a hub for research, professional development and partnerships.

The largest grant ever given by the Richard King Mellon Foundation will be split between a new science building at the university, a robotics center in an old steel mill and a new manufacturing-focused institute.

Technical colleges in Albany and Thomasville, Georgia, are collaborating on a federally funded workforce development program for low- and moderate-income residents impacted by Hurricane Michael in October 2018.

The motor company will help buy equipment for the center, a collaboration between the University of Arkansas and Fort Smith Public Schools to create career pathway programs in 22 districts, set to open in August.

A virtual event last week hosted the superintendent, the local chamber president and others to discuss how schooling has changed, lessons from the past year and the need to invest in internships and summer programs.

Students at Fox Chapel Area High School in Pennsylvania won the annual Governor’s STEM Competition with a mobile app that determines whether people in a particular location are following social distancing guidelines.

New Mexico’s universities are talking with public agencies, private think tanks and business groups about transitioning the state to renewable energy and creating career pathways for IT and cybersecurity professionals.

The U.S. House of Representatives this week approved a bill by Rep. Frank Lucas of Oklahoma that directs the National Science Foundation to award grants for new ideas to improve STEM education in rural schools.

Colorado State University and Fullstack Academy are partnering with universities across the country to offer a 26-week immersive training course in cybersecurity and coding, starting in July and running through January.

Some lawmakers and advocates for career and technical education are pushing for a budget amendment in Massachusetts to boost funding for the state’s Career Technical Initiative from $4 million to $16.9 million.

Texas is home to many companies that employ industrial engineering technologists and technicians, giving students in Texas State Technical College’s precision machining program several options for where to live and work.

Stopping by Oak Ridge High School last week, Gov. Bill Lee and other state leaders got an overview of the school’s aviation program and discussed grant funding for career and technical education programs.

ACC has broken ground on a new $17.6 million, 33,000-square-foot facility, expected to open in fall 2022, that will provide career pathways to students studying biotech, medical laboratory technology and histotechnology.

By working with Central Community College on a series of scholarships aimed at locals, Loup Power District intends to help build a workforce that will stay in the area and fill technical jobs.