Session: 09-04-01: Sustainability, Efficiency, Competencies for Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0, Learning Factories, Ethical Dimensions, Safety and Complexity Issues

Paper Number: 145355

145355 - Manufacturing Education for Social Sustainability – Lessons Learnt From a Manufacturing Training Certificate Program in the Tampa Bay Region 

The manufacturing sector is of paramount importance to a nation’s economy, and the performance of the manufacturing sector is directly related to the skill level of its workers. Oftentimes the concept of sustainability when extended to manufacturing has catered to the economic and environmental dimensions, with the social sustainability aspect often being ignored. The literature on workforce training has centered around engineering students when it comes to smart manufacturing technologies, however there is a paucity of approaches that seek to impart manufacturing knowledge to students without any engineering background. At the same time, it is important to tap into the underprivileged neighborhoods for upskilling the residents. We report the outcomes of a manufacturing training certificate program conceived for Tampa Bay residents, with specific focus on the East Tampa region. East Tampa, a community with a median household income of $35,179 and where a third of the population lives below the poverty line, presents a demographic with a pressing need for economic upliftment and skill development. This need aligns with the significant workforce shortage in the local manufacturing sector, which has over 500,000 jobs vacant post-COVID, including 70,000 in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties alone. With a diverse population, predominantly African American and Hispanic, the program is designed to provide equitable opportunities for high-quality, industry-relevant training that can lead to sustainable employment and economic growth. Therefore, the program's audience is strategically chosen to uplift economically disadvantaged individuals from East Tampa, transforming them into a capable workforce that can bridge the sector's labor gap while fostering inclusive economic prosperity. A holistic curriculum was developed to teach manufacturing education through CAD/CAM, 3D printing, AR/VR technologies, robotics and automation, assembly and production lines, and measurement systems. We report the outcomes of two cohorts that graduated in Summer 2023 and Fall 2023, in which a total of 86 training sessions, 12 technical assistance sessions and 4 workshops were held, and 195.75 hours of instruction were provided. 25 students enrolled and 17 students (14 males and 3 females) graduated across the two cohorts – among the graduates 47% identified as Hispanic or Latino, 41% identified as African American, and rest identified as non-white/Hispanic; and 16 of the graduates belonged to the low-to-middle income category. In future, the program can be further expanded to an apprenticeship program that can help the graduates improve their financial situation. We also provide recommendations to improve the learning experience of the students and enhance participation in the program.

Presenting Author: Muhammad Saad Amjad Smart and Sustainable Systems Laboratory, University of South Florida; Introduction to Production Systems Certificate Program

Presenting Author Biography: Saad is currently pursuing his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Smart and Sustainable Systems Laboratory (S3Lab) at University of South Florida under the supervision of Dr. Nancy Diaz-Elsayed. His research interests include sustainable manufacturing, smart manufacturing, circular economy, net zero factories, and production optimization. Prior to joining the S3Lab, Saad worked in the public and private sector of Pakistan for 6 years in various capacities. He was involved in developing an SDG reporting mechanism for the textile sector, assessing the EV potential for Pakistan’s three-wheeler vehicle sector, and assisting Ministry of Climate Change in developing National Action Plan to combat climate change. Saad holds a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from University of South Florida, and Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan. In his free time, he can be seen collecting random pieces of information and learning a new language.

Authors:

Muhammad Saad Amjad Smart and Sustainable Systems Laboratory, University of South Florida; Introduction to Production Systems Certificate Program
Pallavi Singh Department of Electrical Engineering,University of South Florida;Introduction to Production Systems Certificate Program
Valerie Zapata Smart and Sustainable Systems Laboratory, University of South Florida; Introduction to Production Systems Certificate Program
Marilyn Barger Florida Advanced Technological Education Center; Introduction to Production Systems Certificate Program
Nancy Diaz-Elsayed Smart and Sustainable Systems Laboratory, University of South Florida; Introduction to Production Systems Certificate Program