The SCALE Workforce Development Model

By Kerrie Douglas1; Tamara J. Moore1; Melissa A Dyehouse1; Alejandro Strachan2; Peter Bermel3

1. Engineering Education, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 2. Materials Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 3. Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

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Abstract

doi: 10.6084/m9.figshare.25665057.v1 • Microsoft Sway: https://sway.cloud.microsoft/IF8iBI27oiD9I0z3?ref=Link

The Scalable Asymmetric Lifecycle Engagement (SCALE) microelectronics workforce development program is funded by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) to address the critical shortage of a capable microelectronics workforce. SCALE’s innovative workforce development model includes a novel public-private academic partnership (PPAP), a tailored messaging approach that targets students from K-12 to Ph.D. levels, national curriculum standards in specialty areas, iterative adaptation of curriculum and standards, and systematic program evaluation to measure and ensure the program’s effectiveness in meeting target benchmarks and objectives. SCALE’s vertical integration of curriculum incorporates age-appropriate microelectronics curriculum and topics from the K-12 level to the graduate and professional level.

The SCALE Model is made up of five key components that enable the program to function effectively and as intended (Figure 1): Partner relations, student experiences, knowledge share, finance and administration, and evidence-based improvement. The model documentation component is addressed through this model documentation guide.

The SCALE Workforce Development Model
Figure 1. The SCALE Workforce Development Model

The original prototype workforce development model was focused on developing and testing the model in a small number of technical areas. The prototype model proved successful in demonstrating the effectiveness of the methodologies that were used to produce a knowledgeable microelectronics workforce. The second phase of the SCALE workforce development model is the production phase of the model, which expanded the technical areas to include radiation hardening (RH), system on chip (SoC), heterogeneous integration/advanced packaging (HIAP), and embedded systems/trusted AI (ESS/AI). Other technical areas continue to be added (e.g., radio frequency and Optoelectronic microelectronics; RF/OE). The production model aims to expand and replicate the prototype model to attract, develop, obtain, and maintain a future microelectronics clearable workforce that will 1) increase the probability for successful recruitment, 2) produce a readier workforce, 3) advance knowledge share, 4) scale up, and 5) expand/replicate across additional microelectronic or other U.S. Industrial Base technology areas.

Links to Model Documentation

1. Partner Relations - The main goal of the Partner Relations component of the SCALE model is to leverage the expertise and capabilities of microelectronics partners from all sectors, including public, private, and academic institutions, to contribute to the scalability and replicability of the microelectronics workforce. https://sway.cloud.microsoft/q7u8JKL8NEEvKEHn?ref=Link
2. Student Experience - The SCALE student experience aims to integrate microelectronics exposure and training from the K-12, undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. The goal of the undergraduate and graduate-level SCALE student experience is to expose, motivate, and prepare students from diverse backgrounds in engineering and engineering technology with the skillset and mindset for careers in defense-related microelectronics. https://sway.cloud.microsoft/i1KZVKzVAgbPDAid?ref=Link
3. Knowledge Share - The purpose of the SCALE knowledge share component is to disseminate the knowledge generated by the SCALE program both internally and externally, which includes technology transfer to industry to serve defense and security needs. This includes sharing technical knowledge, creating collaborative partnerships between the SCALE consortium members, and sharing the SCALE model with other external programs. https://sway.cloud.microsoft/foGVkck25Mo9umkU?ref=Link
4. Finance and Administration - The primary goal of SCALE’s finance and administration component is to enable smooth and efficient program operations both internally at the prime institution and with the academic partners external to Purdue. Finance and administration are key components of the SCALE program as they permit the efficient management of SCALE’s resources. https://sway.cloud.microsoft/BM1bxFRXq6LheG6d?ref=Link
5. Evidence-Based Improvement - The goal of SCALE’s evaluation is to provide a holistic evaluation leading to evidence-based improvement. The SCALE evaluation uses a holistic approach to evaluation, including outcome-based metrics, process evaluation, external evaluation, site-specific evaluation, and financial return on investment to provide a comprehensive understanding of the program. https://sway.cloud.microsoft/nYz3HSHBN0YDFuIc?ref=Link

Sponsored by

U.S. Department of Defense [Contract No. W52P1J-22-9-3009].

Cite this work

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

  • Kerrie Douglas, Tamara J. Moore, Melissa A Dyehouse, Alejandro Strachan, Peter Bermel, "The SCALE Workforce Development Model," (2024), doi: 10.6084/m9.figshare.25665057.v1

  • Kerrie Douglas, Tamara J. Moore, Melissa A Dyehouse, Alejandro Strachan, Peter Bermel (2024), "The SCALE Workforce Development Model," https://nanohub.org/resources/38940.

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Tags

  1. microelectronics
  2. SCALE@Purdue
  3. SCALE (Scalable Asymmetric Lifecycle Engagement)
  4. workforce development