In a global economy where workers face new demands and opportunities every year, the need to acquire new skills and update existing ones is vital. Nanotechnology – which is estimated to need a worldwide workforce of 2 million by 2015 – offers rewarding, cutting-edge employment that touches many different areas of research, technology, and manufacturing, among others.
Nanotechnology will create many jobs, at levels requiring post graduate education, four and two year college degrees, as well as skills that can be acquired through training and vocational programs. For instance, many nanotechnology companies report that they are hiring PhDs for routine characterization jobs, which could be more suitably filled by skilled technicians.
This section spotlights training programs offered by various schools and workforce initiative programs across the U.S., the starting point for those looking to launch a career in nanotechnology.
Austin Community College, Austin, TX - AAS program
Bucks County Community College, Newtown, PA
California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, CA - Certificate program
Chippewa Valley Technical College, Eau Claire, WI
College of Lake County, Grayslake, IL - AAS program
Danville Community College, Danville, VA
Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount, MN
Foothill College, Los Altos, CA - AAS and Certificate programs
Forsyth Technical Community College, Winston-Salem, NC -AAS program
George Mason University, Washington, DC metro area – Certificate program
Harper College, Palatine, IL - AAS program
Ivy Tech Community College, South Bend, IN
Lansing Community College, Lansing, MI - AAS program with speciality
Nanotechnology Applications and Career Knowledge (NACK) Center at Penn State, State College, PA
Normandale Community College, Bloomington, MN
North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton, ND – AAS and Certificate programs
North Seattle Community College, Seattle, WA
North West Vista College, San Antonio, TX -- AAS program
Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI – Certificate program
Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Moorhead, MN – AAS program
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, Okmulgee, OK – AAS program
Pennsylvania State University, 30 sites across PA - AAS and Certificate programs
Richland College, Dallas, TX
Schenectady County Community College, Schenectady, NY - AAA program
Texas State Technical College, Waco, TX- AAD program
Univeristy of Puerto Rico, Humacao, PR - AAS program
In addition to the brick-and-mortar schools offering nanotechnology courses, there are a variety of institutions and organizations that foster the growth and development of the nanotechnology workforce and education infrastructure.
