Effective Approaches for Aligning Curriculum with Business Demand

This webinar, provided by the Centers Collaborative for Technical Assistance, discusses approaches National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Centers have used to ensure college workforce programs are aligned with industry needs. This webinar was presented on March 26, 2015. Presenters include Marilyn Barger, Principal Investigator (PI) and Executive Director of Florida Advanced Technological Center (FLATE); Ann Beheler, PI and Executive Director of the Convergence Technology Center (CTC); and Mike Lesiecki, Director of Maricopa Advanced Technological Education Center (MATEC). The objective of this webinar was to "examine two different methods for aligning curriculum with business needs so that program graduates are workforce ready." The webinar begins with a brief discussion about the desirable characteristics of effective curriculum review process models, informal methods of input for curriculum, the formal curriculum review process, and working with industry. Ann Beheler discusses the CTC, including the Business and Industry Leadership Team (BILT) model, the business role, the KSA analysis process, the skills validation process, and more. Marilyn Barger discusses FLATE, the Florida Engineering Technology AS Degree, the curriculum review process, a sample framework document, and more. The webinar runs 1:08:51 minutes in length. Supplemental materials include presentation slides and a 17-page transcript.