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As research of benefits and detriments of pesticides and biocides progresses, people's knowledge needs to be updated. This study takes an audience perspective on how practitioners may improve communication. Through online focus group discussions of how and why Danes acquire knowledge of pesticides and biocides, we find that focusing on improving people's knowledge structures, heuristics and self-efficacy may improve people's ability to acquire such knowledge and in turn improve their motivation. This paper provides suggestions for how practitioners may create more effective communication.

Gamification, the use of game-like elements in non-game contexts, has gained popularity in the field of human resources. However, little research has been conducted on the use of gamification in the employee onboarding process, specifically in terms of socializing and assimilating new employees into an organization. This study aimed to explore the design, development, and implementation of a gamified smartphone application for employee onboarding in a manufacturing company. Ethnographic data was collected over the course of 60 weeks through participation at various field sites and analyzed using thematical analysis with a human-centered design focus, examining the meaning attributed to the gamified application by different stakeholders within the organization. The results showed that different stakeholder groups attributed different and sometimes conflicting meanings to various design elements. The key finding was the identification of four bipolar design dimensions that both supported and hindered the design among stakeholders. These findings have both academic and practical implications for the design of future gamified employee onboarding tools in large enterprises.

The application of digital customer communities has been observed over the past years but primarily in the business-to-consumer sector. The COVID-19 crisis has affected positively the usage of digital tools in business-to-business, including customer communities. A digital customer community aims to connect individuals and share information between them. It has therewith a positive effect on the trust, loyalty and behavior of customers. The present study reviewed scholarly databases in an attempt to ascertain the current knowledge on the use and relevance of digital customer communities. Several studies have discussed the advantages of using digital customer communities in e-commerce, brand management or business cooperation, but a framework supporting the application of digital customer communities is lacking. The present study used content analysis to examine the existing academic knowledge. It recommends answering the three questions "What does the digital transformation change?", "Why use customer communities?" and "What drives the customer experience?" when starting to consider using digital customer communities in business-to-consumer.

Graduating approximately 150,000 engineering and engineering technology students per year, the engineering education system seeks to teach students to solve problems via analysis and design. Unfortunately, many curricula emphasize analysis at the expense of design, often relegating design activities to cornerstone and capstone design courses and leaving students ill-prepared for substantive capstone projects and post-baccalaureate practice. This work seeks to address this problem by introducing an appropriately-scaffolded design-analyze-build-test spine within an existing Mechanical Engineering Technology second-year Strength of Materials course. The 33-student cohort self-selected into 11 teams of 3 students per team to design, analyze, and additively manufacture 6-inch-long by 1-inch-maximum-width by 1-inch-maximum-height 3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA) beams weighing [less than or equal to] 45 grams. Beams were then three-point loaded during a culminating competition. The project intentionally rewarded multiple, competing objectives, including beam mass, maximum force at a 0.050-inch deflection, accuracy of analysis, and creativity. Over 29 calendar days, the project consumed approximately 1.5 in-class hours and was completed using only commonly-available university hardware, e.g., 3D printers and a load frame. Formative and summative surveys were administered to assess student task value, self-efficacy, and opinions. Results indicated that students were primarily motivated by utility and intrinsic task value. Despite 74% of the students having minimal experience with additive manufacturing, 75% of students felt their team had appropriate skills to complete the project. In addition to 84% of students stating the project reinforced their understanding of strength of materials, 95% of students stated that the project increased their understanding of open-ended design and the interconnection between material properties, materials processing, and strength of materials. This work is important in that it demonstrates a case study on how to incorporate design concepts within an engineering analysis course and that analysis and design concepts may coexist within a course.

With the growing importance of the logistics industry and the increasing demand for logistics professionals with a bachelor's degree qualification, the government and industry in China have long been looking for ways to attract more logistics sub-degree students to pursue higher education. This article aims to provide insights into the factors that determine logistics sub-degree students' intention to pursue a bachelor's degree. The study extended the theory of reasoned action (TRA) model to include four variables, namely perceived difficulty, job opportunities, job starting salary and genuine interest. The findings from the study involving 361 logistics sub-degree students from three institutions show that logistics sub-degree students' decision to pursue a bachelor's degree is determined by attitude, subjective norm, perceived difficulty, job opportunities, job starting salary and genuine interest. Genuine interest is identified as a new precursor of intention. The findings also show that there is a significant difference between students from different types of programmes. Based on the findings, this article proposes some measures for the relevant parties to motivate and attract logistics sub-degree students to further their study at bachelor's degree level.

The focus of this study is to implement multiple assessment methods in order to comprehensively assess the impact of a Project Based Learning (PrBL) application in construction project management course. The assessment methods include various direct (objective) and indirect (subjective) evaluations methods. These methods included a pre and post questionnaire of student opinions, homework grades, in-class "clicker" quiz grades, overall project grades, embedded test question grades, a video lecture project, and short answer case study questions on exams from the Fall 2017 to Fall 2019 semesters. The data for this study was taken from the past six offerings of the same course, which was compared to a similar course in the same department. The analysis demonstrated that the students preferred both the use of an actual real-world project and the PrBL delivery method. The particular assessment methods that provided the most beneficial assessment were the embedded test questions and the case study section of the exam. The overall grade assessment method demonstrated an average of four percentage point increase in grades from previous offerings of the course and a similar course that does not include the PrBL pedagogy.

Using the National Longitudinal Surveys of Youth (NLSY), this article examines the influence of a region's industrial composition on the educational attainment of children raised by parents who do not have college degrees. The NLSY's geo-coded panel allows for precise measurements of the local industries that shaped the parents' employment opportunities and the labor market that the children directly observed. For cohorts finishing school in the 1990s and early 2000s, concentrations of manufacturing are positively associated with both high school and college attainment. Concentrations of college-degree-intensive industries are positively associated with college attainment. I investigate several potential mechanisms that could relate the industrial composition to educational attainment, including returns to education, opportunity costs, parental inputs, community resources, and information.

Purpose: This study aims to assess suppliers' learning from knowledge transfers with a global truck manufacturer, considering both source and supplier capacity, and the cultural proximity between the parties. Design/methodology/approach: A case study was conducted between two factories, one in Brazil and one in Germany. This study adopted a mixed-method sequential explanatory approach, which involves a quantitative phase followed by a qualitative one to provide a better understanding of the studied phenomenon. Quantitative data were collected from the automaker's suppliers in both countries and analyzed using factor and inferential analyses. Qualitative data were obtained from the automaker's purchasing executives, and from the company's suppliers in both countries. Content analysis was used to analyze data. Findings: Results suggest that both the source's disseminative capacity and suppliers' absorptive capacity had a positive effect on suppliers' learning during knowledge transfers. The study also found out that cultural proximity among parties positively moderates the relationship between suppliers' absorptive capacity and their learning. However, cultural proximity does not moderate the relationship between a source's disseminative capacity and supplier learning. Practical implications: This study's findings are important to foster knowledge transfers by developing absorptive and disseminative capabilities in the automakers industry, in which the implementation of interorganizational learning is quite challenging due to the large number of strategic providers. Originality/value: This study contributes to theoretical and conceptual consolidation of knowledge transfer, which includes cultural proximity among parties and the source's and supplier's disseminative and absorptive capacities, respectively. This study constructs and validates a model of knowledge transfer using a large automaker with a worldwide presence.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is twofold: to identify and map contemporary research on advanced technology implementations for problem-solving purposes in the manufacturing industry, and to further understand the organizational learning possibilities of advanced technology problem-solving in the manufacturing industry. Design/methodology/approach: This paper outlines a scoping review of contemporary research on the subject. The findings of the review are discussed in the light of theories of contradicting learning logics. Findings: This paper shows that contemporary research on the subject is characterized by technological determinism and strong solution-focus. A discussion on the manufacturing industries' contextual reasons for this in relation to contradicting learning logics shows that a Mode-2 problem-solving approach could facilitate further learning and expand knowledge on advanced technology problem-solving in the manufacturing industry. A research agenda with six propositions is provided. Originality/value: The introduction of advanced technology implies complex effects on the manufacturing industry in general, while previous research shows a clear focus on technological aspects of this transformation. This paper provides value by providing novel knowledge on the relationship between advanced technology, problem-solving and organizational learning in the manufacturing industry.

Taiwan's vocational wood-furniture schools still focus only on the traditional manual training strategy, and so students' knowledge of the furniture-manufacturing process is fragmented. Moreover, they possess limited manual skills without learning the workflows and strategies of furniture production, which is inadequate for satisfying the direct work demands of the furniture industry overseas. In response, through virtual reality (VR) technology, this study employed simulations of the furniture production lines in a large Vietnamese furniture-manufacturing factory, enabling students to experience and observe the manufacturing process of furniture production through VR to overcome the limitations in the present teaching environment. In doing so, we recruited 29 freshmen majoring in a furniture-and-woodworking program and divided them into an experimental group (N=15) and a control group (N=14). They were trained with actual furniture production-process cases according to the furniture mass-production process, including paper-based tests, equipment configuration re-draws and production planning table writing. The results showed that the students in the experimental VR-training group had superior judgment concerning the concept of batch furniture production line. This indicates that applying VR technology to the vocational training of batch furniture production effectively enhanced the students' familiarity of the fast and dynamic production situation of furniture production lines.

The author investigated the application of lean management system in production enterprises and highlighted the main differences between traditional management and lean management systems. Many classical qualitative methods are used for benchmarking both systems. However, classic techniques consider costs accumulation but do not include time aspect. The author applies more advanced approach to assess efficiency. The study presents cash-flow model for economic valuation of investments into lean system. According to a case study, savings for production enterprise applying lean management system are higher than the size of investments required to implement system. These numbers are highly dependent on company size. The study consists of three parts. The first part describes how actively production enterprises are investing in lean management system. In the second part, new cash-flow model is presented to evaluate efficiency. The third part presents practical application. It compares the activity of manufacturing company with and without lean management system.

Background: The competencies for the 21st century are defined as a broad and interrelated system of knowledge, skills, values and attitudes enabling the full application of man in personal and professional life. Regarding the science education competencies combining science and scientific knowledge, as well as skills such as inquiry, critical thinking, analytical thinking, problem solving and decision making should be developed. These higher-order abilities are reflected in the concept of scientific thinking and reasoning that has no specific definition yet, although many employers expect these abilities at their job applicants. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to create a framework of scientific thinking and reasoning for knowledge-based companies operating in natural sciences that would meet the needs of these companies. Sample: Theoretical research is based on analysis, comparison and synthesis of five relevant scientific and reasoning frameworks from years 1997-2014. Empirical research was an expert survey conducted with seven participants, experts working on key positions inside companies, followed by two interviews with experts outside the companies. Design and methods: During the first part of the study a prototype of a scientific thinking and reasoning framework based on the methods of theoretical research was developed. Following empirical part (expert survey) aimed at adjusting the framework based on semi-structured interviews to employees in key positions of companies whose production portfolio or services are based on the knowledge and skills of their employees in natural science disciplines. Results: Qualitative analysis of interviews showed that the proposed framework seems as a useful tool for companies that can easier identify the skills and abilities for their employees. Conclusion: The framework has been slightly changed according to results of the analysis and can be used as a supporting tool bridging the gap between those who prepare students for a specific graduate job and the companies that employ graduates.

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the in-company training according to the technologically demanding and safety-critical feature of the aircraft industry. This study addresses to the tension between the structured and the more incidental part of in-company learning in their training and learning environment. Design/methodology/approach: Against the background of concepts of workplace learning from vocational training research and concepts of the safety management system from safety research, aircraft companies from England and Germany were visited. Data from interviews with training managers and trainees as well as non-participant observations are analysed. Findings: The findings show that workplace vocational learning in this industry is guided by different measures to design the learning environment to prevent purely incidental and informal knowledge acquisition. However, the formalisation of informal learning process leads to a high expenditure of material, personnel and time resources. The findings show that trainers and training managers working together internationally creatively manage different training systems. The training activities are designed to convey the values of safety culture like responsibility, accuracy, transparent communication and reporting. The requirements of the safety management system are also met through the training. Research limitations/implications: Challenges and tensions in the actual implementation of the training activities could not be identified. The people interviewed were selected by the companies, so there is a risk that certain perceptions are over-represented. Practical implications: The results show that the safety-critical industry needs its own pedagogical approach to workplace learning, which is not based on independent work processes in the workplace. Insights can be drawn for in-company training in other safety-critical industries too. However, to enable effective in-company learning, which at the same time strengthens the safety culture of the company, many resources must be used. The companies must consider all dimensions of work from the individual level to the work structure level. Originality/value: This paper discusses the tension between formal and informal learning and shows the specific design of this tension on the basis of a concrete industry for the specific needs of this industry. The results lead to the realisation that the general discussion about workplace learning must be viewed in a differentiated way depending on the industry.

Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) have both an educational and professional function. Although employer engagement is necessary to execute the latter function effectively, employer engagement remains a problem for most TVET institutions. This research investigates employer engagement in upper secondary TVET schools in Ghana. The analysis of this paper is based on existing employer engagement literature and empirical data collected through semi-structured interviews with three employers, two headmasters and two policymakers. The analysis reveals two key themes: 'Not engaging with Upper Secondary TVET Schools', which discusses how some multinational food and consumer products manufacturing industries did not engage with upper secondary TVET schools, and 'Engaging with Upper Secondary TVET Schools', which discusses seven identified employer engagement activities. Overall, the findings are worrying and, if not rectified, will render upper secondary TVET school learners disadvantaged in advanced technical, technological and employability skills desirable in the labour market. To rectify these concerns, the Government of Ghana should establish and implement a robust national employer engagement-oriented education framework. Second, there is an urgent need for further empirical qualitative and quantitative research in Ghana to inform the design and implementation of a national employer engagement in education framework.

The current study strives to examine the impact of HR practices, working condition, intergroup relations, goal congruence, passion for work and organizational learning culture toward employee engagement and organizational innovation. In addition to that the moderating effect of servant leadership is tested between employee engagement and organizational innovation. The research design of this study is grounded in quantitative research approach. Data were retrieved from employees working in Saudi manufacturing organizations. Overall, 241 respondents have participated in this voluntarily research survey. Research framework was tested with structural equation modeling technique. Results revealed that human resource practices, working condition, intergroup relations, passion for work, goal congruence and organizational learning culture have explained large variance R[superscript 2] 52.8% in measuring employee work engagement. Similarly, organizational innovation is measured with employee work engagement and servant leadership and explained substantial 55% variance in organizational innovation. Likewise, the results of the blindfolding analysis revealed substantial predictive power Q[superscript 2] 41.4 to predict organizational innovation. Therefore, in determining employee work engagement at workplace goal congruence has shown substantial effect size f[superscript 2] when compared with other exogenous constructs. Practically, this research suggests that goal congruence, human resource practices, and servant leadership are core factors which enhance employee engagement at workplace and organizational innovation in time of crisis and therefore need managerial attention. This study is unique as it examines employee engagement behavior with an integrative research framework. In addition to that the role of servant leadership has been studied as moderator between the relationship of employee engagement and organizational innovation.

The need to account for the direct and indirect influence of competitive intelligence and learning orientation on SMEs export performance given the poor export performance of SMEs in developing economies precipitated this study. This has become relevant in view of the need to ensure that SMEs remain an engine room for economic growth and development. Hence, we collected data from a sample set of 400 employees from SMEs that engage in export activities. Structural equation model (SEM) with the aid of AMOSv27, was used in analyzing the data. The study found that competitive intelligence affects export performance of SMEs. We also found that learning orientation has a positive link to SMEs' export performance, and it mediates the relationship between competitive intelligence and export performance, though partially. Drawing insight from the resource-based view theory, we advanced competitive intelligence as a firm intangible resource that can affect export performance, even when channeled through learning orientation. Hence, manager's ability to first gather and analyze reliable information about its firms' readiness comparatively to that of their competitors and creating an enabling environment that supports information sharing and willingness to alter existing practices to replicate novel information from their competitive intelligence activities are fundamental in ensuring increased export performance.

Purpose: This paper aims to discuss how trade union leaders deal with the implementation of Industry 4.0 (I4.0). The study is circumscribed to the Brazilian automotive sector and came from a human-centric (Industry 5.0) concern related to issues such as organisational learning, knowledge, innovation and workplace learning. Design/methodology/approach: Case studies in two truck plants related to union participation during new product and process implementation based on Industry 4.0. Semi-structured interviews with union leaders from both plants were conducted to determine the subtle similarities and differences between the two polar types. Findings: The findings pointed out that human resources and workplace learning must be reviewed to prepare workers to face I4.0. Four themes are explored: modernisation origins; negotiation process; workers' concerns; and results and lessons learned. The findings highlight concerns about employees and job loss; replacement of workers by technological devices; workplace learning and the trade union perspective; and influence of the country's economic situation on I4.0 implementation in social systems dependent on worker tacit knowledge. Originality/value: This paper presents labour union leaders' perspectives related to the impact of I4.0 and contributes to a better understanding of industry-worker workplace learning.

Purpose: Policy-oriented responsibility initiatives are institutional attempts to make innovations more responsible. One such initiative is offered by the European Commission's responsible research and innovation (RRI) keys (public engagement, gender equality, science education, open access and ethics). This study is conducted in the context of an EU Horizon 2020 project and focuses on the introduction of RRI keys to innovation projects of the additive manufacturing (AM) industry. This study aims to understand how these RRI keys are perceived and adopted by industry project partners. Design/methodology/approach: The authors use an ethnographic study based on "participant observation", supported by interviews and workshops with AM industry experts. In particular, the analysis covers two specific innovation use cases -- one in the medical field, and second in the automotive field, in the context of the EU project. The analysis, based on ethnographic data, is inductive and interpretative. Findings: The authors take a critical approach towards the implementation of RRI policy keys as measurable indicators, and argue that they are not easy tools to implement. The authors portray how RRI keys were understood and welcomed by industrial organisations, and how their implementation raised controversies. The authors also found that RRI keys are difficult to understand. They are not easy to measure and report, and this contrasts with earlier proposals of how RRI keys should be governed or implemented. The governance, meaning the dialogue between stakeholders both internal and external to the organisation, was time-consuming and required constant organisational learning. Originality/value: Due to the insightful ethnographic methodology, the authors could well underline the faults and difficulties of the application of policy-oriented responsibility in innovation. The findings illustrate the difficulty of implementing RRI in an industry that mainly operates business-to-business. This can help future policymakers to find more successful ways of pushing industry and innovators to be more responsible. It can also suggest better ways of reaching higher organisational learning for the purpose of more responsible innovations.

Purpose: This paper explores how education and training systems can support a digitally-enabled workforce for the Australian manufacturing sector. Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on interviews with 17 sector-level manufacturing stakeholders from industry, government and education/training organisations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain an in-depth understanding of how education and training systems currently support a digitally-enabled manufacturing workforce as well as opportunities for alternative configurations or developments. Findings: Analysis revealed three themes reflecting core dimensions of a supportive education and training system--partnerships, pedagogy and prospects. Cooperative, integrated and sustained partnerships are needed between vocational education and training (VET) institutions, universities, government, industry, high schools and private training providers. Pedagogy emphasises the vital importance of infusing curriculum with digital and technology skills and capabilities, alongside innovative and experiential delivery modes including simulated environments, online learning, on-the-job training, flexible delivery and micro-credentials. Prospects reflects the need for forward-looking assessment and planning to respond to industry trends and develop associated qualifications, skills and investments required to meet future industry needs. Originality/value: With growing demand for digitally-enabled skills to support manufacturing, an industry which is acknowledged as critical for economic prosperity and national sovereignty, the findings contribute novel insights into current limitations and future opportunities to bridge the gap between skills shortages in the manufacturing industry, and education and training systems that deliver graduate readiness and a digitally-enabled workforce.

This paper examines the practical experience and research background of one private training provider with over 10 years' experience reskilling and upskilling mid-career workers with academic qualifications for employment in a growing technical and highly regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. This paper offers insights into how to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of the admissions, enrollment, induction and orientation process for adult learners looking to commence studies on university accredited continuous professional development (CPD) courses. This process is based on and analysed through the lens of Behavioural Science, while also building upon the work of Dirksen, Colvin Clark, Stolovitch, and Keeps. The data set has been gathered during 2020 and 2021, from 425 adult learner applicants, coming from a variety of educational and employment backgrounds, with 5 to 25 years of work experience.

With the rapid growth in the manufacturing industry and increased urbanization, higher amounts of composite material waste are being produced, causing severe threats to the environment. These environmental concerns, coupled with the fact that undergraduate students typically have minimal experience in research, have initiated the need at the UAE University to promote research among undergraduate students, leading to the development of a summer undergraduate research program. In this study, a recycling methodology is presented to test lab-fabricated Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) for potential applications in industrial composite waste. The work was conducted by two groups of undergraduate students at the UAE University. The methodology involved the chemical dissolution of the composite waste, followed by compression molding and adequate heat treatment for rapid curing of CFRP. Subsequently, the CFRP samples were divided into three groups based on their geometrical distinctions. The mechanical properties (i.e., modulus of elasticity and compressive strength) were determined through material testing, and the results were then compared with steel for prompt reference. The results revealed that the values of mechanical properties range from 2 to 4.3 GPa for the modulus of elasticity and from 203.7 to 301.5 MPa for the compressive strength. These values are considered competitive and optimal, and as such, carbon fiber waste can be used as an alternate material for various structural applications. The inconsistencies in the values are due to discrepancies in the procedure as a result of the lack of specialized equipment for handling CFRP waste material. The study concluded that the properties of CFRP composite prepreg scrap tend to be reusable instead of disposable. Despite the meager experimental discrepancies, test values and mechanical properties indicate that CFRP composite can be successfully used as a material for nonstructural applications.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe risk their competitiveness if they fail to embrace digitalization. Indeed, SMEs are aware of the need to digitalize--more than one in two SMEs are concerned that they may lose competitiveness if they do not adopt new digital technologies. However, a key obstacle is related with decision-makers' lack of awareness concerning digital technologies potential and implications. Some decision-makers renounce digital transition simply because they do not understand how it can be incorporated into the business. Take into account this common reality, especially among SMEs, this research project intends to identify the skills and subjects that need to be addressed and suggests the educational methodology and implementation strategy capable of maximizing its success. Therefore, and supported by a focused group research methodology, an innovative training program, oriented to decision-makers, was designed and implemented. The program was conceived based on a self-directed learning methodology, combining both asynchronous lecture/expositive and active training methodologies, strongly based on state-of-the-art knowledge and supported by reference cases and real applications. It is intended that the trainees/participants become familiar with a comprehensive set of concepts, principles, methodologies, and tools, capable of significantly enhancing decision-making capability at both strategic and tactical level. The proposed programme with a multidisciplinary scope explores different thematic chapters (self-contained) as well as cross-cutting thematic disciplines, oriented to the Industry 4.0 and digital transformation paradigm. Topics related with Digital Maturity Assessment, Smart Factories and Flexible Production Systems, Big Data, and Artificial Intelligence for Smarter Decision-Making in Industry and Smart Materials and Products, as well as new production processes for new business models. Each thematic chapter in turn is structured around a variable set of elementary modules and includes examples and case studies to illustrate the selected topics. A teaching-learning methodology centered on an online platform is proposed, having as a central element, a collection of videos complemented by a set of handouts that organize the set of key messages and take-ways associated with each module. In this paper, we present the design and practice of this training course specifically oriented to decision-makers in SME.

This study aims to understand factors that affect the behavioural intention of manufacturing engineers in Malaysia to use e-learning in the workplace. Two hundred usable online questionnaires were collected from respondents who were engineers in Malaysian manufacturing companies. The data were analyzed using SPSS and Smart PLS version 3.2.6. Results supported all direct relationships except for the influence of prior experience in perceived ease of use. Interestingly, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use fully mediated between computer self-efficacy and behavioural intention to adopt. The study provides theoretical implication to the technology acceptance model by confirming the mediating role of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness in the context of a manufacturing setting in an emerging market. In practical terms, the study provides insights to guide organizations in designing e-learning systems that are well-received by employees at the workplace.

The advantages and importance of university-industry collaboration, particularly in curriculum design and delivery, are well-known. However, although curriculum development models are available in the literature, very few are sufficiently concrete to be applicable in practice or are generalizable beyond their discipline of origin. In this paper, a co-operative model based on the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle is presented and described. An example of its application in the curriculum design of two courses in welding within a Manufacturing Engineering Master's program is detailed. The model was found successful based on the evaluation of the courses by students, teachers, and the industrial representatives involved. Therefore, it proved to be an effective tool for bridging the gap between industrial needs and academia in the field of Manufacturing Engineering education. At the same time, the methodology is generalizable and is applicable to any field of education.

The commercial space industry is facing a shortage of qualified workers due to the aging and retirements of the workforce and the inability to find qualified candidates. To explore the training, educational experiences, and technical competencies of entry-level manufacturing engineers, the researcher interviewed eight manufacturing engineers at entry- and expert-levels in the commercial space industry for their experiences and perspectives on the skills and competencies needed for entry-level manufacturing engineers. The major findings from this study are the need for communication skills application, the importance of using mentoring as a teaching tool outside of formal education and training experiences, and the ability to present data in order to tell a story. Educators can prepare manufacturing engineers for the workforce in the commercial space industry with the result of this study.

This study investigated the predictive influence of career growth on work stress of electrical/electronic trade teachers. The study adopted correlation research design and the structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondent. The entire one hundred and eighty five (185) electrical/electronic trade teachers of technical colleges in three states of Nigeria were employed for the study. The data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Meanwhile, hierarchical and standard multiple linear regression analysis was used to establish predictive influence of career growth of electrical/electronic trade teachers on their job stress. Meanwhile, two-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to establish the status of interaction effect of age and gender, experience and gender, type of teacher and age and type of teacher and experience on career growth, and job stress of electrical/electronic trade teachers. The study found that career growth and its sub-factors--career goal progress, professional ability development, promotion speed, and remuneration growth--positively predicted job stress of electrical/electronic trade teachers. The study claimed that there were interaction effects of age and gender, experience and gender, type of teacher and age and type of teacher and experience on career growth, and job stress but not statistically significant among electrical/electronic trade teachers.

Workforce pipelines are essential to sustain a productive workforce in an increasingly competitive, high-tech environment. Advanced automation, sensors, materials and data analytics will increase the need for highly skilled workers in the manufacturing (and manufactured construction) sector. Attracting and developing the next-generation workforce is not without its challenges; however, students are often deficient in technical skills and generally have negative perceptions about manufacturing and construction. As a result, new education and training models have been developed to provide instruction at all levels of the educational system, with a focus on both traditional students and non-traditional students, including ethnic minorities, women, veterans, disabled persons and older adult learners. This study focused specifically on certain underrepresented students in STEM programs offered at community colleges in the Great Plains region of the U.S. An available online training program by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers was used as a contextualized online training tool. The Learning Management System embedded in this online training tool was used to gather student data. Conducting multiple regression analyses on the test outcomes, completion rates, and improvement between post-test and pre-test scores showed that female participants achieved greater improvement between pre- and post-test scores than males, and achieved higher rates of credentialing compared to all other demographic groups. African American participants achieved greatest improvement between pre- and post-test scores than all other ethnic groups while Hispanics achieved higher rates of module completion. Additionally, this study also examines the background related to contextualized teaching and learning, as well as the effectiveness of this delivery method for these underrepresented populations.

The capstone project in many academic institutions is the high point of undergraduate studies in engineering. The transition of graduates to industry is still not optimal, and there is a disparity between the needs of industry and the actual ability of academia to meet these needs. This study examines the role of the capstone project as a pedagogical tool in the age of Industry 4.0 in the field of product development, and as a bridge between academia and industry. The study combines qualitative and quantitative methods, focusing on four stakeholders (academia, industry, students and advisors). The study is based on several sources, such as: semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, observations, and more. The study results indicate that the capstone project is important and valuable for industry and academia, as well as being perceived by students as the most important undergraduate course. Nevertheless, the results reveal that it has many gaps and shortcomings and illuminate the need for a deep perceptual and structural change. Academia should reconsider projects' length and define milestones in which independent learning is optimally enabled. The projects' contribution to academic institution reputation, should be considered when defining the project goals. Coping with the challenges and gaps found in this study, the project can also be used in order to reduce incongruities, while preparing the students in a better way for their professional role in changing environment.

A new methodology is proposed for designing professional retraining programs for aviation, rocket, and space industry employees, focused on the formation of the necessary competencies. The novelty of the proposed method is in the formalization of the design process and the use of digital technologies. The advantage is the use of a modular principle of program design, which provides the opportunity to implement individual training paths for workers in industrial enterprises. The methodology was successfully tested at the Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University) in the provision of educational services to enterprises in the aviation and aerospace industries.

This study aims to determine the problems encountered in the process of acquiring vocational skills in vocational high schools and their suggestions according to the opinions of teachers working in the vocational branches of the production-manufacturing sector. In the research, the phenomenological method, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. The study group of the research consists of 21 teachers from different branches. The data were obtained by the semi-structured interview method. The content analysis method was used in data analysis. According to the findings of the research, the problems in vocational skills training are lack of materials, technological infrastructure problems, incompatibility of training programs with the needs of the industry, inability to adapt to changing vocational skills, misguidance in the choice of vocational field and educational system-school management based problems.

Community colleges are the leader in facilitating career and technical education (CTE) and workforce development (WD) programs. However, employers who hire recent graduates of these programs question the quality of the education provided. This qualitative study used a focus group comprised of manufacturing and engineering professionals in Florida to explore their perspectives on the skills they perceive recent graduates and employees need to succeed in their industry. Ten participants took part in an audio-recorded focus group discussing CTE and WD programs at community colleges. Findings include three themes, integration of knowledge, practical, and soft skills The study's implications are concerned with State and local policy regarding funding a structure that supports quality and value. Local implications focus on curriculum development, program format, habits of mind, and the relationship between education and industry.

Opportunity youth (OY; i.e., youth ages 16--24 who are neither working nor in school) are a population who is difficult to engage and retain in educational programs, particularly in community college career and technical education (CTE) programs. OY are an important population to community colleges, as CTE programs culminating in industry-recognized credentials and employment constitute an important on-ramp to the workforce for young adults. The Manufacturing Training Program is a vocational training program offered at a local community college in Phoenix, Arizona that was informed by input from youth and service providers to support OY in obtaining the necessary technical skills/credential for entry-level employment in manufacturing. Researchers conducted a qualitative study using in-depth interviews with 32 program stakeholders and beneficiaries (i.e., 14 staff and 18 youth). Data were coded and analyzed using content analysis to identify major themes for each stakeholder and beneficiary group interviewed as well as working hypotheses to guide future CTE program development. Findings suggest that there are both challenges and successes related to recruiting, retaining and employing OY. Recruitment challenges include lack of information about and disinterest in manufacturing, whereas successes include leveraging family members in recruiting youth. Retention challenges include meeting OYs' basic needs, whereas successes include providing quality case management. Employment challenges include limited employer participation whereas successes include developing an effective process to connect employers with trained youth. Findings and lessons learned on recruitment, retention, and employment challenges and successes offer direction for community colleges to develop and strengthen CTE programs for OY.

The purpose of this case study is to highlight the efficacy of Virtual Learning as a tool to facilitate training transfer of behavioral skills and knowledge imparted during the course of a leadership intervention in a manufacturing firm during the pandemic lockdown. A mixed-method approach involving qualitative depth interviews and survey questionnaire responses were used to draw logical inferences. The findings of the study revealed that virtual learning supports effective training transfer of behavioral skills and knowledge. The learners also highlighted virtual learning to be offering convenience and an enriching learning experience. The study offers practical insights for learning and development practitioners on leveraging virtual learning as a powerful tool to promote the transfer of trained knowledge at the workplace. The study is first of its kind as it offers key insights on training transfer in organizational learning and development context, gathered from personal experiences of learners involved in the training intervention conducted during the pandemic lockdown.