ATE Impacts 2020-2021

Eng 42 Telecommunications Laser/Phototonics Technologies Security/Defense Biomedical/Healthcare/Pharmaceuticals Research Seমngs Industrial/Advanced Manufacturing Utility/Municipality/Energy Process Automation 7.9% 20.8% 18.8% 15.4% 22.6% 6.5% 4.5% 3.5% n=403 LASER-TEC Adds Diverse Student Populations to Programs LASER-TEC facilitates expansion of diversity in the laser, photonics, optics, and fiber optics (LPOFO) workforce pipeline. Carefully tailored recruitment strategies and partnerships with local, state, and national organizations that support underrepresented groups have enriched LASER-TEC college programs with veterans and previously unemployed or underemployed individuals. Specifically, 45% of the Indian River State College photonics cohort of 91 students and 28% of the 267 students enrolled across all LASER- TEC programs during 2018-2019 are from populations historically underrepresented in STEM fields. In 2019 the number of female students in LASER-TEC colleges tripled to 30. Enrollment by veterans nearly quadrupled increasing from eight in 2013 to 31 in 2019. Key Activities • Assists colleges in adding laser, photonics, optics and fiber optics (LPOFO) technologies to their academic program offerings. • Develops and disseminates instructional curricula for classroom and laboratory use. • Fosters partnerships among colleges, industry, and professional societies to benefit students. “The associate in science degree in electronics engineering technology with the specialties of robotics and photonics opens you up to so many different job specialties. It feels very good to graduate from college without owing thousands of dollars in loans.” Dina Aguilar, Biomedical Technician Cleveland Clinic/Martin Health Stuart, FL 2017 Indian River State College Graduate LASER-TEC Center for Laser and Fiber Optics Education Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FL http://www.laser-tec.org LASER-TEC program graduates work in industries that are critical to the nation. Percentages of LASER-TEC Program Graduates Employed by Industries