The eTECH Project

The project is a collaborative effort within an education among consortium that consists of eight Minnesota two-year community and technical colleges and Bemidji State University (BSU). The goal of the project is to address the manufacturing workforce needs in Minnesota through an innovative redesign of higher education delivery and its seamless career pathway. The project has four objectives: 1) increase the number of technicians in Minnesota who meet standardized industry credentials, 2) evaluate four pilot certificates and adapt and repackage the pilot certificates into diplomas and AAS degrees, 3) adapt curriculum to create four additional technician-level diplomas and AAS programs across the state that can articulate to BSU's Bachelor of Applied Science Applied Engineering degree, and 4) assure access through online and blended availability. Internal and External Advisory Boards are providing input on direction and the application of resources.