Conference Geared for Educators for High Tech Workforce

Since I have elsewhere written about the lack of focus on “equipment training” at professional training conferences, it is only right to remind people about the annual HI-TEC (formerly SAME-TEC) conference coming up in July in Phoenix. This conference has partial roots in task force activities at TPIC beginning in 1994.

Today, HI-TEC (High Impact Technology Exchange Conference) is a combined effort of National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education centers (i.e., SAME-TEC and ATE-CON) and will will focus on the preparation needed by the existing and future workforce for companies in the high technology sectors that drive our nation’s economy. It’s a conference where technical educators, counselors, industry professionals, and technicians can update their knowledge and skills.

HI-TEC workshops and sessions will “uniquely explore the convergence of scientific disciplines and technologies. Featured technologies include: advanced manufacturing technology; agricultural, environmental and energy technologies; biomanufacturing; biotechnology; chemical and process technologies; engineering technologies; information, communications and security technologies; learning and evaluation; and micro- and nanotechnologies.”

While attendees come from many backgrounds, the primary conference participants are college instructors. So is there anything to learn here for equipment trainers? Yes, if they are willing to “sift and sort.” They will need to be open and looking for ideas to improve their equipment training courses, and this will require looking at what some technical instructors are doing, and deciding how it may be possible to adapt a great idea used at a community college into a great idea that could be used in an equipment training scenario.

No, it is not an ideal conference for equipment trainers, but since there is no such thing as an equipment training association and conference, this may be the closest thing to it. One more thing: In terms of personal recession-proofing, this could be a very useful networking conference. Also, a high tech trainer could well learn more about other more viable industry options apart from his current one. This flyer might better help you decide about its value.

So check it out: HI-TEC Website: www.highimpact-tec.org

DATES:

Sunday, July 19, and Monday, July 20: Preconference technical workshops, grant development workshops, and local industry tours.
Tuesday, July 21, and Wednesday, July 22: General conference sessions, keynote speakers, and a technology showcase.

EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT: Applies until the end of May

LOCATION: Fairmont Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona

EXAMPLES OF SESSIONS: