Education and Workforce Development Programs in the Center for Advanced Automotive Technology

The automotive industry is currently experiencing a revolutionary technological transformation including electrification, connectivity, automated/autonomous, lightweighting, and sustainability. This paper presents the education and workforce development programs developed and delivered by Wayne State University and Macomb Community College partnership in meeting industry needs for future workforce in advanced automotive technology. Through funding from the National Science Foundation, a Center for Advanced Automotive Technology (CAAT) was established as an Advanced Technological Education center to support the partnering work, developing and leading systemic curricula reforms. The center worked with industry partners identifying curriculum gaps and provided professional development for teachers to fill those gaps. CAAT also supported new automotive technology university/college programs through its seed funding program which funded others to create, implement, and share new curricula. The center is a preeminent resource for educating engineers and technicians in advanced automotive technology as all materials that were developed in partnership with CAAT were reviewed by industry experts and offered as a free resource through website. CAAT continues its tasks supporting the United States in its efforts to build and maintain a competent workforce ready to use the skills of the 21st century to move industries ahead.