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The National Center for Integrated Systems Technology (NCIST) at the Extended University was formed to help establish Advanced Manufacturing/Integrated Systems Technology (AM/IST) programs in community colleges and to assist in the coordination of activities among the colleges, the Local Workforce Investment Areas, and One-Stop Centers.



National Crisis
As manufacturing work environments become increasingly high-tech, it is critical that America train a new breed of worker – technologists who can operate, troubleshoot, and maintain today’s industrial equipment that involves multiple integrated systems. When our nation retooled its work environments in the 1980s a small segment of the existing workforce was cross-trained to work with new and emerging technologies. Unfortunately, many of these individuals are now “graying and aging-out,” and the retirement exodus and talent war have already begun. Manufacturers across America are experiencing an increased urgency to attract and retain highly skilled employees capable of maintaining the high-tech integrated systems found in today’s workplace.

Economic Impact
Manufacturing grows the U.S. economy – for every $1.00 in manufactured goods generated, $1.43 worth of additional economic activity is created – more than any other economic sector. Because Advanced Manufacturing/Integrated Systems Technology (AM/IST) workers maintain the equipment that keeps industries in operation, their skills are crucial to the stability of their companies and the economic capacity of our nation. Projections indicate that, for each IST worker not replaced when he/she retires, 17 other employees may become displaced because they are dependent upon the IST worker to maintain the equipment they need to do their jobs. AM/IST training programs are absolutely critical to the nation’s economy and to the manufacturers’ ability to remain competitive in today’s local, national and global economies.

Solution
America’s industries are rapidly changing, becoming more involved with and dependent upon technological advancements. Manufacturing, construction, power, and petro-chemical companies, to name a few, are experiencing an increased urgency to acquire highly-skilled employees or to retrain current employees to maintain their high-tech equipment. Individuals who are retrained become an immediate pool from which these employers may draw to fill positions that require newly-defined skill sets.

Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) began addressing this issue by making a major financial investment of more than $10 million to create a workforce development and replenishment strategy for individuals working with equipment that involves integrated systems. Acknowledging that this was a concern nationwide, the U.S. Department of Labor funded eight community college and workforce development system partnerships for AM/IST programs in Illinois and Ohio, which have resulted in hundreds of manufacturers hiring program participants. The success of the Illinois and Ohio programs initiated the expansion of the AM/IST program into North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wyoming. These programs will provide training and related services to dislocated workers, incumbent workers, apprentices and individuals seeking an AAS Degree in the field of Advanced Manufacturing. Further AM/IST program replication in states across our nation is crucial if America’s manufacturers’ are to remain competitive.



Equipment for Curriculum
NCIST does not endorse any particular equipment or vendor. There are a number of providers that have training equipment that is compatible with the AM/IST curriculum. If you have, or are planning, an Advanced Manufacturing training program and need training equipment, we suggest you discuss your training needs with several training equipment providers to determine which vendor will best meet your needs.





NCIST works with Community Colleges, One-Stops Centers, Local Workforce Investment Areas, and Manufacturers. Currently, NCIST is partnering with the following organizations as part of the Retraining America's Workers for 21st Century Advanced Manufacturing Jobs grant:

An invitation to get involved from the U.S. Department of Labor

Community Colleges

Central Piedmont Community College

Community College of Allegheny County

Cuyahoga Community College

Elgin Community College

Lake Land College

Laramie County Community College

Moraine Valley Community College

North Central State College

Owens Community College

Richard J. Daley College

Rock Valley College

Sinclair Community College

Texas State Technical College


For additional contact infomation...

One-Stops

One-stop career centers are publicly funded organizations which provide services and resources to job seekers and employers. The career centers are designed to provide no-cost assistance under one roof, eliminating the need to visit multiple locations. Basic services for job seekers include career counseling, training referrals, providing resources, and job placement assistance. One-stop career centers aid employers by matching their employment needs with trained workers.

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Governmental Offices

Centralina Council of Governments (NC)

Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry

Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board (PA)

Texas Workforce Commission

Wyoming Department of Workforce Services




NCIST provides brochures, newsletters, success stories and other related documents pertaining to AM/IST programs.

Press Releases

Newsletters

Brochures

Photo Gallery

Video Gallery




NCIST specializes in the facilitating of dislocated workers, incumbent workers, individuals seeking an AAS degree in Advanced Manufacturing/IST, apprentices, WIA-eligible adults, and Job Corp youth in training and job placement for integrated systems technology in order to assist in meeting advanced manufacturing industry challenges.

General Information

Training Philosophy

FAQs

Career Ladder

A Career Path System for Integrated Systems Technology

AM/IST Process Guide

Dislocated Worker Training and Placement

Curriculum Overview

Curriculum

Employment Statistics

Success Stories

Incumbent Worker Training

Companies Utilizing AM/IST Training

Curriculum Overview

Curriculum

Manufacturer's FAQs

Short-term Training Modules

Skills Upgrade Testimonials

Apprenticeship Training

Program Overview

Apprenticeship Outlines

AAS Degree (AIMST)

AAS Degree Overview

AAS Degree Sequence and Outlines




NCIST collects important resources and research on Advanced Manufacturing and Training

Articles

Important Links

Presentations

Research


This product was funded by a grant awarded under the President's High Growth Job Training Initiative as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment & Training Administration. The information contained in this product was created by a grantee organization and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. All references to non-governmental companies or organizations, their services, products, or resources are offered for informational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement by the Department of Labor. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it and is intended for individual organizational, non-commercial use only.