NSF Org: |
DUE Division Of Undergraduate Education |
Recipient: |
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Initial Amendment Date: | August 13, 2009 |
Latest Amendment Date: | December 10, 2012 |
Award Number: | 0902811 |
Award Instrument: | Continuing Grant |
Program Manager: |
Gerhard L. Salinger
DUE Division Of Undergraduate Education EHR Direct For Education and Human Resources |
Start Date: | August 15, 2009 |
End Date: | July 31, 2013 (Estimated) |
Total Intended Award Amount: | $2,942,763.00 |
Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $2,942,763.00 |
Funds Obligated to Date: |
FY 2011 = $854,198.00 |
History of Investigator: |
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Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
P O Box 2000 Monroeville AL US 36461-2000 (251)575-8224 |
Sponsor Congressional District: |
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Primary Place of Performance: |
P O Box 2000 Monroeville AL US 36461-2000 |
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District: |
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Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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Parent UEI: |
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NSF Program(s): |
Advanced Tech Education Prog, EPSCoR Co-Funding |
Primary Program Source: |
0409 NSF Education & Human Resource 0411 NSF Education & Human Resource |
Program Reference Code(s): |
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Program Element Code(s): |
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Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.076 |
ABSTRACT
The National Network for Pulp and Paper Technology Training, with four regional nodes and 15 community colleges, provides the pulp and paper sector of the US forest products industry with a globally competitive, technologically advanced workforce through recruiting, retaining and placing students; developing and implementing standards, certificates, curriculum and professional development; and disseminating products to other community colleges. The National Network increases outreach to employers, professional organizations, colleges and high schools including the development and approval of standards and certifications. The curriculum is expanded to include standards, curriculum materials and professional development that emphasize the wood-based renewable energy used in pulp and paper mills that can be used nationally to reduce dependence on petroleum. Goals for recruitment and professional development workshops for high school faculty and include at least 200 new students per year with 35% being from underrepresented groups and 40% from rural areas and with 70% completing the program. The goal of 70% of the graduates being employed within six months of graduation is implemented through research on the return on investment by companies from hiring graduates of the program.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
The Situation
Within the next ten years it is estimated that between 25% to 50% of the employees of the pulp and paper industry will retire or change careers and leave the profession. Whereas training for these specialized technical positions has always brought challenges now more that ever the rush to fill vacancies and the development of a plan for filling future vacancies is paramount.
Addressing the Need
The phenomenon of online learning at all levels of education is increasing each year. This expansion is not predicted to decrease, but in fact is anticipated to increase exponentially. The growth in online delivery brings new challenges for curriculum developers to generate rigorous yet motivating online learning experiences in a timely manner that can be sustained.
Typically, pulp and paper training consists of hiring laborers with limited skills and providing them with in-house job shadowing opportunities or by luring employees away from competitor’s factories and mills. New employees usually lack the specific skills needed in the industry. Having the opportunity to access training such as online courses, would provide employees the convenience of learning on their own time at their individual pace, in a setting selected by them.
The Solution
The foremost authorities in the field of pulp and paper have collaborated to develop a suite of online courses. These courses consist of lecture recordings, student assessments and laboratory experiences. Practitioners, paper makers, specialty vendors, and academia have worked to provide the most comprehensive collection of online courses ever assembled. Pulp and paper mills can access the classes to provide training or area community colleges can offer training for credit which could possibly lead to certification or a degree.
Titles of online courses:
Pulp Mill Operations Paper Mill Operations
Recovery Environmental
Coating Wet End Chemistry
Tissue Pulp Labs
Paper Labs Recycling
Paper Machine ...
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