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Award Abstract # 1601452
National Center for Supply Chain Automation

NSF Org: DUE
Division Of Undergraduate Education
Recipient: RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
Initial Amendment Date: September 20, 2016
Latest Amendment Date: May 29, 2020
Award Number: 1601452
Award Instrument: Standard Grant
Program Manager: Virginia Carter
vccarter@nsf.gov
 (703)292-4651
DUE
 Division Of Undergraduate Education
EDU
 Directorate for STEM Education
Start Date: October 1, 2016
End Date: September 30, 2023 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $3,999,495.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $4,587,495.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2016 = $3,999,495.00
FY 2020 = $588,000.00
History of Investigator:
  • Valorie Piper (Principal Investigator)
    valorie.piper@norcocollege.edu
  • Robert Sompolski (Co-Principal Investigator)
  • Ned Young (Co-Principal Investigator)
  • Kevin Fleming (Former Principal Investigator)
  • colleen molko (Former Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: Riverside Community College District/Norco Campus
2001 THIRD ST
NORCO
CA  US  92860-2627
(951)222-8464
Sponsor Congressional District: 41
Primary Place of Performance: Riverside Community College District/Norco Campus
2001 Third Street
Norco
CA  US  92860-2600
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
41
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): MLMNJLE5JJH9
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s): Advanced Tech Education Prog
Primary Program Source: 04001617DB NSF Education & Human Resource
04002021DB NSF Education & Human Resource
Program Reference Code(s): 1032, 9178, SMET
Program Element Code(s): 741200
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.076

ABSTRACT

Supply Chain Automation is a new and fast-growing industry in the global market. Neither industry nor post-secondary education institutions have been primed for addressing the needs of this emerging sector, and both have struggled to adequately prepare existing and incoming workforce for the rapidly evolving technologies which drive the industry. The National Center for Supply Chain Automation is the formal medium for engaging both parties in a national dialog to ensure educators are preparing students for the rapid growth in this high technology job sector. The Center has the capacity to provide education and career pathways to thousands of Americans leading to living wage jobs. Within a six month training period, students enrolled in SCA Technician programs can earn national industry approved certifications leading to advanced certification and degree options for further career advancement.

Norco College, with lead colleges and partners, will target services to the top 19 states with the greatest concentration of supply chain activity and employment. The National Center will (1) implement model 2+2 SCA career pathways through high school and community college partnerships to increase the number of skilled SCA Technicians entering the workforce; (2) convene supply chain automation stakeholders via a National Symposium to deliver professional development and establish a community of practice by engaging ATE Centers and projects focused on related disciplines; (3) increase the number of underrepresented participants entering the field; (4) disseminate information and product deliverables for secondary and post-secondary educators through conference presentations and participation in panel discussions, producing and publishing newsletters, videos, white papers, labor market studies and integrating social media channels with digital content; and, (5) establish and promote a stackable national industry certification for Supply Chain Automation Technician, validated and recognized by industry.

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH

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Sheryl Jackson "Solving the Supply Chain Technician Shortage" MHI Solutions , 2017 , p.78-83
Steve Harrington "Ecommerce and the Growing Demand for Technicians" The MHEDA Journal , 2017 , p.60-61

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 National Center for Supply Chain Automation (NCSCA) is a national center whose focus is supply chain automation technician education. Its mission is to increase the supply of highly trained supply chain automation technicians to meet the growing national demand. NCSCA's four objectives were: 

-Implement model 2+2 supply chain automation career pathways through high school and community college partnerships nationally to meet the need for educated technicians

-Convene supply chain automation stakeholders via a National Symposium event to enhance collaboration and deliver professional development

-Disseminate information and product deliverables to audiences that include secondary and post-secondary educators, industry and current and potential Supply Chain Technicians

-Establish and promote stackable national industry certifications in Supply Chain Automation, which are validated and recognized by industry

NCSC has reached nearly 5,000 individuals, who were impacted by supply chain automation materials and resources. The e-textbook was downloaded 3,195 times since its release. Annual Impact Survey respondents most frequently used the career awareness materials, website, and model curriculum/education modules and lab activities.

Given the continued growth of e-Commerce, industry interest in CT-SCA certification continues to grow. As of June 2023, 72 individuals have passed at least one Instructor Training assessment and 16 have achieved full certification. Of these individuals, 44 are employed by industry (40by Target), with the remainder employed by educational institutions. In addition, 171 Skill Boss Logistics (SBL) devices have been purchased by technical colleges, community colleges, high schools, universities, and industry in 33 states, Canada, Thailand, and Indonesia. Finally, 1,201 students have completed the entire certification process, and 94 instructors have adopted the e-Textbook in their classroom.

Target Corporation, one of NCSCA's biggest supporters, reports that its program to upskill technicians by integrating the SBL device with the CT-SCA program and an onsite registered apprenticeship is meeting with increased interest and success. To date, 67 maintenance technician trainees (MTTs) from 30 sites are currently enrolled in the first two modules, either learning directly in full-time classes or through supervised remote learning from the Training Centers, with more than 100 graduates to date. Thirty-eight percent of Target’s MMTs have received at least one of the MSSC certificates, and 199 team members have earned promotions and pay raises to either higher skilled technician roles or as salaried executives on Target maintenance teams.

NCSCA served as an exemplar for developing and maintaining partnerships with industry and educators. The NCSCA team is to be commended for its commitment to supply chain technology education and to continuing to clarify its vision for developing the credibility for the Supply Chain Automation Technician. Throughout the life of the grant, the Center helped to elevate the importance of supply chain automation in the national dialogue. NCSCA has cemented its legacy as a change agent in SCA technician education for the following reasons:

1) Institutions, faculty, students, and the workforce development system now have a national end-noncomprehensive, industry-validated, technician training, assessment, and certification system.

2) The SBL device trains and assesses 100 hands-on skills identified as critical by NCSCA through industry research and is supported by fully aligned curriculum.

3) The updated e-Textbook and Instructors Manual, as well as the Model Program, reflect the new technological skills that employer’s value in their technicians.

4) Academic programs that have been taught with limited interaction in the past (electronics, mechanics, information technology) can identify the supply chain logistics/engineering model as a common application.

Through its collaboration with Target, MSCC, and Amatrol, NCSCA has developed a scalable model for education and industry to create training centers, adopt curriculum, develop new robotic SBL devices, and provide current and future SCA technicians various opportunities to receive training to launch or advance their careers in a fast-growing field that offers family-sustaining wages. Therefore, NCSCA has met their mission of increasing the number of highly skilled supply chain technicians to meet the growing national need for automation workers.

Although the center sunset was September 30, 2023, their legacy will live on through their industry and education partners.

 


Last Modified: 11/14/2023
Modified by: Valorie Piper

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