ADVANCED MANUFACTURING 

JOBS OF THE FUTURE JULY 28, 2021 
 

 

 

DISCLAIMER 

Any content or opinions expressed in 

this webinar are not that of the U.S. 

Department of Education nor an 

endorsement of any persons, products, 

programs, or policies mentioned herein. 
U.S. DEPARTMENT 

OF EDUCATION 

STEM RESOURCES 

ed.gov/STEM 
 

Technology Workforce Supply Chain 

STRATEGY FOR AMERICAN LEADERSHIP IN ADVANCED MANUFACTURING 
AMY LOYD, Ed.L.D. 
MICHAEL BRITT-CRANE 
 

 

 

 

A Decline in US Manufacturing 

Revitalizing domestic manufacturing is essential to national security, global 

competitiveness, and to a robust recovery from the COVID-19 crisis . 

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7 
 

Industry 4.0 Technology Transformation 

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8 
DoD Manufacturing Innovation Institutes

Current Network 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skills Gap 

Before COVID-19, manufacturing growth was constrained by a 

shortfall of talent, with 2.4M unfilled jobs projected by 2028. 

• Technology Transformation (Industry 4.0) 

- Skill needs for industry 4.0 ≠ skills of the workforce pool

- Labor market supply not meeting employer demand

- Generational shift in workforce interests 

• Unresponsive Education and Workforce Systems

- Curriculum lagging rapid technology advances

- Hybridization of skills needs across disciplines

- Insufficient connectivity with industry 

- Industry 4.0 education inadequately resourced 

IMPACTS 

FELT AT 

THE 

REGIONAL 

LEVEL 

“The skills gap is upon us; it is the existential threat to our manufacturing economy.” 

– Blake Moret, CEO, Rockwell Automation 

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Key Strategies 

1. Modernize Manufacturing Education 

- Develop talent & technology concurrently

- Employ disruptive innovations in learning tools, venues, and

pathways in traditional education

- Model Career and Technical Education modernization and 

expand non traditional learning models

2. Expand the Talent Acquisition Pool 

- Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and economic mobility

- Map adjacent skills across economic sectors

- Upskill and reskill the incumbent workforce; 

3. Drive Action Regionally 

- Engage workforce & economic development interests

Deploy via Localized, Demand-Driven Initiatives 

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CINDY WATERS, 

Ph.D. 
 

 

 

The Department of Defense (DoD)’s

Manufacturing Engineering Education Program (MEEP)

Overview 

Dr. Cindy Waters 

• Lead Coordinator, DoD MEEP Program (under the DoD STEM Program in the Office of 

the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering) 

• Senior Scientific Technical Manager, Advanced Manufacturing Materials, Naval Surface 

Warfare Center at Carderock 

Advanced Manufacturing: Jobs of the Future 

June 18, 2021 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Encompasses DoD STEM? 

DoD STEM is inclusive of Department-wide efforts that address near- to 

mid-term (postsecondary) STEM workforce needs, and long-term (K-16 

education & outreach) STEM talent development through a variety of 

educational and work-experiential opportunities across the K-20 continuum. 

The National Defense Education Program (NDEP) is one of the largest efforts 

under DoD STEM. 

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DoD STEM Strategy 

VISION: A STEM talent pool with minds for innovation, diversity of thought, 

and technical agility to sustain the Department’s competitive edge. 

MISSION: Attract, inspire, and develop exceptional STEM talent across the 

education continuum to enrich our current and future DoD workforce to 

meet defense technological challenges. 

• COMMUNICATE the value and purpose of the DoD STEM Strategy and the 

need for engagement. 

• INSPIRE youth and community engagement in K-12 STEM education and 

outreach by encouraging participation in DoD-sponsored STEM activities. 

• CULTIVATE the future STEM talent pool through supporting and 

enhancing undergraduate and graduate students served by DoDsponsored STEM programs. 

• PROMOTE increased participation of underserved groups in STEM 

• ENHANCE the efficiency and effectiveness of STEM initiatives by 

gathering evidence using a systematic approach. 

Distribution A. Approved for public release: distribution 

unlimited. // Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturing Engineering Education Program (MEEP) 

• Purpose: 

- Congressionally added since 2017, the MEEP program establishes new or enhances existing

programs (or collections of programs) to better position the current and next-generation

manufacturing workforce to produce military systems and components that assure technological

superiority for the DoD;

- The goal of these efforts is to target and provide opportunities to current and future workforce

acquiring manufacturing skills, which are critical to sustaining the defense innovation base;

- DoD MEEP programs include education and outreach to middle school students up to workforce

retraining, including a focus on military veterans.

• Approach: 

- DoD STEM funds MEEP initiatives through Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs), in

coordination with the Office of Naval Research; - Awardees establish or expand educational opportunities for Americans to acquire manufacturing

skills critical to sustaining the defense innovation base.

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2017-2019 MEEP Grant Awards 

13 awards presented to distinguished educational and industry

partners totaling up to $50M over a 3-year period 

• Battelle (Columbus, OH);

• Clemson University (Clemson, SC);

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA);

• National Center for Defense Manufacturing & Machining (Blairsville, PA);

• Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (Knoxville, TN);

• Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow (Detroit, MI);

• Monroe Community College (Rochester, NY);

• Society of Manufacturing Engineers (Cleveland, OH);

• University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley (Edinburg, TX);

• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Blacksburg, VA);

• Lorain County Community College (Elyria, OH);

• NextFlex (San Jose, CA) 

Distribution A. Approved for public release: distribution 

unlimited. // Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) 
Digital 

Content 

Creation 

“Train the 

Trainer” 

Direct Student 

Cohort 

Interaction 
 

Various MEEP Awardees 

Distribution A. Approved for public release: distribution 

unlimited. // Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) 
 

 

 

 

Compiled program updates... 

Educator/student opportunities

• To learn more about our MEEP partners’ efforts, visit:

https://www.cto.mil/dod-invests-42-million-to-meep/

https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/1675281/defens

e-department-selects-awardees-in-the-manufacturing-engineering-education/ 

https://hume.vt.edu/research/meep.htm

https://www.toolingu.com/

https://cecas.clemson.edu/cucwd/educateworkforce/

https://www.nextflex.us/learning-programs/flexfactor/

https://iacmi.org/

https://www.opnextjobs.com/

https://lift.technology/our-work/ 

https://www.utrgv.edu/newsroom/2020/08/25-i-dream4d-summer-engineering- camp-uses-online-format-to-teach-stem-skills.htm 

Distribution A. Approved for public release: distribution 

unlimited. // Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) 
 

 

Follow us on Social Media! 

Facebook 

DoD STEM 

SMART.DoD.Scholarship 

Twitter 

@DoDCTO 

@DoDstem 

@SMART_DoD 

LinkedIn 

DoD STEM 

SMART Scholarship 

Instagram 

@DoDSTEM 

@smart_dod 

YouTube 

DoD STEM 

DoD SMART Scholarship 

cto.mil 

dodstem.us 

smartscholarship.org/smart

DISTRIBUTION A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

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DoD Research and Engineering Enterprise 

Creating the Technologies of the Future Fight 

DoD Research and Engineering Enterprise Twitter 

https://www.CTO.mil/ @DoDCTO 
EMILY McGRATH 
NEXTFLEX CONFIDENTIAL JUNE 15, 2021 | PAGE 0 

NEXTFLEX 

LEARNING PROGRAMS 

RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING FOR 

EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES & 

ADVANCED MANUFACTURING 

2021 

NEXTFLEX CONFIDENTIAL 
NATIONAL NETWORK FOR MANUFACTURING INNOVATION 

A national network of 16 Institutes, 

each with a specialized technology 

focus and three shared goals: 

1. Advance the manufacturing & 

technology process to full scale 

production 

2. Create a robust commercial 

ecosystem around the 

technology 

3. Create the workforce needed by 

employers in this sector 

NEXTFLEX CONFIDENTIAL JUNE 15, 2021 | PAGE 1 
 

FLEXIBLE HYBRID ELECTRONICS 

FHE (Flexible Hybrid Electronics) combine the flexibility and low cost of printed plastic film 

substrates with the performance of semiconductor devices to create a new category of electronics. 

• Flexible • Transparent

• Stretchable • Biocompatible 

• Conformable • Lightweight 

NEXTFLEX CONFIDENTIAL JUNE 15, 2021 | PAGE 2 
 

Flexible

APPLICATION SPACES FOR FHE 

Flexible 

Wearables 

Biocompatible 

Medical 

Lightweight 

Aeronautics Soft Robotics 

Medical 

Wound 

Management 

Medical 

Wireless ECG 

Low Cost / 

IOT 

Pharma 

System 

Infrastructure 

Monitors 

NEXTFLEX CONFIDENTIAL JUNE 15, 2021 | PAGE 3 
WFD FUNDING & ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES 

To effectively mature and commercialize a new technology, critical stakeholders including 

government, industry, and academia must work together to drive technology maturation 

and educate a skilled workforce in the necessary capabilities. 

Government: Invest in

fundamental research

& early maturation 

Academia: Provide 

training on new 

knowledge, skills, 

and abilities 

Idea Validation 

Large 

Scale 

Prototype 

Production 

System 

Low 

Volume 

Production 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

Industry: Adopt and 

scale new 

technologies 

Research Small 

Scale 

Prototype 

Prototype 

System 

Pilot Line Scaled 

Production 

NEXTFLEX CONFIDENTIAL JUNE 15, 2021 | PAGE 4 
FORECAST OF FHE-ENABLED PRODUCTS 

Approximate TRL 9 turning point 

Transportation (Aeronautical/Automotive) 

Consumer Goods 

Wearable Healthcare/Wellness 

Industrial Monitoring 

Smart Packaging and Functional RFID 

2020 2022 2024 2026 2028 2030 

Technology Pioneering Market Penetration 

2025-2030: Widespread 

commercial adoption 

Peak Market 

Penetration: 

30% of rigid electronics 

may be FHE-enabled 

Expect new application 

domains to emerge 

Phase 1: Leading the proliferation of Phase 2: Meeting industry need 

FHE through education and training for a trained workforce *Source: IDTechEx Flexible Hybrid Electronics 2020-2030 Report. Timelines adjusted based on NextFlex outlook & informational interviews with member SMEs 

NEXTFLEX CONFIDENTIAL JUNE 15, 2021 | PAGE 5 
NEXTFLEX LEARNING PROGRAMS PORTFOLIO 

Mission: Create the range of talent needed by the advanced manufacturing 

sector and FHE community 

SUPPLY 

SKILL PROVIDING 

INSTITUTIONS DEMAND 

Un-Engaged 

Talent 

Skilled 

FlexU 

Engaged 

Talent 

FlexPro 

Talent 

FlexFactor Flex2Future 

Interest & Awareness Skills & Capabilities 

Gap Gap 

Colleges; 

Universities K-12 Industry 

NEXTFLEX CONFIDENTIAL JUNE 15, 2021 | PAGE 6 
FLEXFACTOR 

Overview 

FlexFactor is a project-based learning program designed to inform, 

inspire, attract, and recruit the next generation workforce. 

Throughout the program, small teams of students are challenged to 

1. Identify a real-world problem 

2. Conceptualize a hardware device to address the issue 

3. Build a business model around the product 

4. Pitch the project to a panel of representatives including 

members of industry, academia, and government. 

NEXTFLEX CONFIDENTIAL JUNE 15, 2021 | PAGE 7 
TECHNICAL TRAINING IN FHE 

FHE training programs are not widely accessible due to the emerging state of 

the technology, but in partnership with research universities and ManTech 

NextFlex is creating an online, asynchronous learning program designed to 

build the skills and capabilities necessary to design and manufacture FHE – 

enabled devices. Estimated program launch is late fall 2021. 

NEXTFLEX CONFIDENTIAL JUNE 15, 2021 | PAGE 8 
 

NEXTFLEX LEARNING PROGRAMS NATIONAL EXPANSION 

Existing Ecosystems 

New Ecosystems 

M-USAAdapted Ecosystems 

NEXTFLEX CONFIDENTIAL JUNE 15, 2021 | PAGE 9 
THANK YOU 

EMILY MCGRATH 

DIRECTOR, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT 

EMCGRATH@NEXTFLEX.US 

NEXTFLEX CONFIDENTIAL JUNE 15, 2021 | PAGE 10 
ALEXIS VOGT, Ph.D. 
 

 

 

Studying Optics at MCC: 

The Field of the Future 

18 June 2021 

US Dept. of Education STEM Webinar 

Alexis Vogt, PhD 

Endowed Chair & Professor, Optical Systems Technology 

Monroe Community College; Rochester, NY 
Google Images 
 

Optics Applications 

in National Defense 

turret windows, debris shields 

missile nose cones 

night vision goggles for military operations 

remote sensing, heads-up displays, 

weapon-mounted scopes rovers 

Google Images 
Current Marketplace Demands 

Optics technicians are needed to 

manufacture ALL of these products 
 

 

Who is an Optics Technician? 

• Works with scientists & engineers in research, development, 

design, manufacturing & quality control 

• Manufactures optics 

• Performs testing & evaluation of optical 

components & systems 
Current Marketplace Demands 

We have a worldwide shortage of 

optics technicians! 
 

 

Current Marketplace Demands 

20% of experienced technicians & engineers are 

approaching retirement nationwide 

>550 skilled optics technician job openings go unfilled 

annually in Western NY 

75% of small & medium-sized German companies 

report the shortage of skilled workers impairs their 

innovation activities 
 

Current Marketplace Demands 

Monroe Community College is the 

world’s only college 

awarding associate degrees in 

precision optics 
Optical Systems Technology Programs 

• 1-year Certificate 

• 2-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree 

• 2+2 transfer program: 

 University of Rochester – Institute of Optics 

 RIT – Center for Imaging Science 

 University of Arizona – College of Optical Sciences 
Optical Systems Technology @ MCC 

$200,000 $250,000

$1.26M

$550,000 $4.4M
 

 

 

 

 

Defense Engineering Education Program in Optics 

(DEEP OPS) Overview 

Problem to be Solved: 

The Department of Defense precision optical systems supply chain is facing a crisis – 

a workforce shortage. Monroe Community College, the nation’s only college awarding 

associate degrees in precision optics, does not produce enough precision optics 

graduates to meet the annual demand. 

Program Objective and Goals: 

Strengthen and expand the national precision optics workforce to ensure 

technological superiority for the Department of Defense. 

Goal 1: Extensively enhance precision optics technician training with innovative 

approaches that meet the needs of the optics industry & students 

Goal 2: Increase the number and diversity of optics technicians nationwide 

Goal 3: Establish opportunities for student and faculty engagement with the 

optics industry 
Precision Optics Manufacturing Apprenticeship 

Structured earn & learn program: on the job training + related technical instruction 
 

State-of-the-art Equipment 

• New 1,400 square-foot lab 

• Over $1.5 M in new advanced manufacturing 

equipment installed 
 

Expanding Pre-Collegiate Partnerships

Internships, Dual Enrollment & Outreach 

• 13 optics dual enrollment high schools 

• 1,000+ students have participated in the last 5 years 

• Paid internships 
 

 

Industry Partnerships 

• Optics advisory board 

• Industry-validated curriculum 

 Stackable credentials and micro-credentials 

• All 12 faculty/adjuncts come from the optics industry 
We Need... 

to join us at MCC! 
 

 

THANK YOU 

www.monroecc.edu/go/optics 

Alexis Vogt, PhD 

avogt4@monroecc.edu 

This material is based upon work supported by the Dept. of the Navy Office of Naval Research Award #N00014-19-1-2740. 

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily 

reflect the views of the Office of Naval Research. 
Q & A 
 

RESOURCES 

 Manufacturing.gov  Out of School Time Career Pathway 

 ManufacturingUSA.com  AM Apprenticeships 

 AM Competencies