Agreement to Advance/Promote Workforce Development Signed at MU

Participating in the signing ceremony at the University’s Bolger Conference Center were representatives from several area educational institutions and agencies that are members of the Susquehanna Valley 2+2+2 Advanced Manufacturing Alliance.  The agreement–which demonstrates a collective intention to respond to future community needs–involves Millersville University, Harrisburg Area Community College, Reading Area Community College, Lancaster County Career & Technology Center (the convener of the alliance), Dauphin County Technical School, York County School of Technology, Berks Career and Technology Center, and Stevens College of Technology.    

In addition to MU president Dr. Francine McNairy, people participating in the signing ceremony included: Dr. Robert A. Runkle, administrative director, Berks Career & Technology Center; Toni Arnold, assistant director, Dauphin County Technical School; Mr. Ronald R. Young, acting vice president for academic affairs and enrollment management, Harrisburg Area Community College; Dr. Michael K. Curley, executive director, Lancaster County Career & Technology Center; Dr. Richard A. Kratz, president, Reading Area Community College; and Donn Pittenger, vice president for academic affairs, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.

The agreement allows for an almost seamless transition in advanced manufacturing or nanotechnology courses from articulation at the secondary education level to, and including, four-year college. Part of the 2+2+2 Pipeline Articulation Program, the agreement is composed of sequential courses of rigorous academic and technical content that transition without challenge or duplication across the levels of institutions.   

A response to the Commonwealth’s request to maintain an advanced manufacturing presence in Pennsylvania, the seamless educational path from high school through an undergraduate degree has been developed in an effort to improve the supply of potential employees to fill jobs that have been, or will be, created or made more technical by the rapid advancement of technology, research and new processes and production techniques in the workplaces of new economy companies and industry clusters.

The goal of the venture, according to Dr. Vilas Prabhu, MU provost and vice president for academic affairs, is to help ensure that Pennsylvania emerges as a national leader in the development of industry focused curricula partnerships, and to demonstrate collaboration between and among the educational partners. The 2+2+2 pipeline agreement focuses on curricula, skill needs and certificates, post-secondary diplomas and degrees for advanced manufacturing, and meets Pennsylvania’s need to coordinate curriculum and educational programming.  

The agreement will offer opportunities and advancement for the graduates at each educational level. Thus, the program is used to assure the academic and technical competence of individuals who complete each sequence.  The program’s achievement of competency applies to graduates who are working in a field, or are enrolled in a diploma, certificate or degree program, relevant to their post-secondary or secondary level education.

Millersville’s responsibilities in the area of advanced manufacturing, according to the program overview, includes seamless entry to the advanced manufacturing baccalaureate degree through a curriculum designed in collaboration with the other participating institutions.

More information on the agreement is available through the MU Office of Professional Training and Education.  Call (717) 872-3030.