Explore high-paying careers in clean, high-tech Connecticut manufacturing.

Name of NGM Educator:

Fred D'Angelo, Information Technology/Engineering Professor, Manchester Community College

Name of Host Company:

Pratt & Whitney, United Technologies Corporation

Grade Level:

For freshman/sophomore level college students

Student Work Types:

• Presentation/discussion

Task Abstract:

Complex manufacturing environments require that their employees have proficiencies in extensive sets of skills. The requisite skills may change as the employee is assigned to work in different departments or as his or her current department's mission evolves. Employees must be prepared to learn new skills throughout their careers. In order for students to have a realistic idea of what employers will expect of them in complex manufacturing environments, they must be aware of the need for continual learning. This presentation will describe how Pratt & Whitney manages employee skills.

Task Objectives:

After viewing this presentation and having an opportunity to discuss it with the faculty member who made it, students will be able to demonstrate an appreciation of:

1. The complexity of modern manufaturing environments
2. The extensive skill sets employee must have to function effectively in these environments
3. The need for employees to continually develop new skills in order to maintain their ability to adapt to changes in the work environment.

Esssential Understandings/Questions:

• Name two general categories of skills upon which employees are evaluated.
• Which of the categories does your college education help prepare you to master?
• How will you develop skills in the area which your college education does not address?
• Describe the scales on which employees skills are rated.
• Explain why employees must continually improve their proficiency on current skills and develop expertise in new skills.
• Describe the action that is taken when a shift in a department is deemed to have fewer "fully qualified" employees than its skill profile requires.
• Explain how tracking employee skills and proficiency ratings help a company operate more efficiently and utilize its personnel more effectively.
• How can a company help its employees meet the continuing challenge of improving and expanding their skill sets?

Task Description:

1. View the presentation.
2. Participate in the accompanying discussion.

Resources Required:

Students must have the ability to watch, listen and reflect on what they have seen and heard.

Prior Learning Required: N/A

Educator Comments:

Students must realize that in order to retain the ability to contribute to their employer's operations, they must participate in career-long learning.