O*NET Resources ~ A Piece of the Action

Lehigh Carbon Community College Uses O*NET Data To Develop Curricula for 21st Century Manufacturing Tech Programs

"O*NET is a natural data source to use, whether you're starting from scratch on a brand new nanofab program or looking for more occupations to enhance an existing program. I can't imagine why you wouldn't use it - it's so easy to do." ~ Dr. David Fallinger, Program Director for Manufacturing Technology, Lehigh Carbon Community College

Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) has a federal demonstration grant to coordinate and develop curriculum in three areas in nanotechnology at the postsecondary level and two areas at the secondary level. Working primarily with Lehigh Career & Technical Institute (LCTI), project staff find O*NET OnLine a handy, practical tool for faculty at both institutions. It offers an ideal starting point for occupational research essential to creating programs that respond to contemporary business and industry needs.

The Need LCCC project staff wanted to develop model programs that would enable students to move seamlessly from secondary to postsecondary preparation for emerging opportunities in nanofabrication manufacturing technology. As part of the planning (e.g. "DACUM") process, staff needed extensive and reliable information on worker requirements in the targeted occupations. They needed to prepare detailed task statements and other information that teachers could translate into course content and performance objectives. They also needed related information on wages and employment outlook.

O*NET Role LCTI teachers were already familiar with O*NET resources used in existing Tech Prep programs. They recommended using O*NET OnLine to begin researching the new training targets. O*NET compatibility with state and national sources of labor market data made it easy to find relevant employment outlook and earnings information for Pennsylvania and the nation. It also enabled researchers to use data in the Monthly Labor Review to assess the demand for 2-year vs. 4-year programs.

O*NET OnLine provides detailed descriptions of occupations, including "semiconductor processors," which is related to nanofabrication. LCCC researchers could use the tasks, activities, and other elements for that occupation as a basis for further research and discussions with industry experts and representatives. It also was a good starting point for developing task statements that teachers could turn into performance objectives for courses.

In addition, project staff could identify and obtain detailed descriptions of other, related occupations that might become part of the new training program. As Dr. Fallinger points out, "When you're starting from scratch, it makes sense to start with O*NET."

He also recommends using O*NET OnLine in reviewing existing secondary and postsecondary programs. Suppose, for example, a school already offers a program in electronics. With some enhancements, staff might be able to expand the program to prepare students for a wider range of occupations. O*NET OnLine provides comprehensive information to help schools identify and examine new or different occupations related to the ones they already target.

"Whether you're developing a new program or improving an old one, O*NET is a very useful starting point," Dr. Fallinger notes. "It can provide a 'menu of possibilities' for faculty to consider. It helps you identify occupations that might be worth exploring in more depth as potential training targets. It has a lot of good information to use in building task statements and performance objectives."

Key Results As of November 2003, LCCC project staff had completed their work in 4 of the 5 program areas. New Opto-electronics and Biotechnology programs are underway. Faculty and staff are currently researching and developing the curriculum for the fifth, a program in Advanced Welding Technology.

Although O*NET is only one of many resources they have used, LCCC project staff consider it a basic tool that anyone involved in curriculum development would find valuable. "O*NET sets the stage for curriculum mapping," Dr. Fallinger points out. It provides a communication and articulation instrument for interfacing with public high schools, technical institutes, community colleges, and 4-year institutions. It offers a base for defining and developing program guides that list occupations related to a program, its knowledge prerequisites, and the sequence of courses needed to acquire required competencies and skills.

Dr. Fallinger sees O*NET information as particularly useful for communicating with high school counselors, students, and parents. In his region, many high schools use CHOICES, a career information delivery system that already has "O*NET in-it." O*NET knowledge requirements and other data can be used in college marketing brochures and presentations to help students and parents understand a particular program. They can see that rigorous core courses are essential for students seeking 2-year and 4-year degrees that will prepare them for promising new employment opportunities.

Contact Dr. David Fallinger, Program Director for Manufacturing Technology
Lehigh Carbon Community College
Telephone: 610-799-1967
Email: dfallinger@lccc.edu
URL: www.lccc.edu