Support a Grant for Precision Optical Technican Program
OP-TEC, the center for photonics technician training has been asked by NSF to complete a full proposal for funding Precision Optical Technician programs by early October.
Colorado (specifically the Community College of Denver) is on the short list to get one of the first programs, with quite a bit of the equipment and training paid for by this NSF grant. While I know most of the industry is not hiring right now, it will take up to five years for the program to get up and running, at which time we will most likely be short of trained workers for precision optics again.They are requesting letters of support to help strengthen this proposal.
Please write a letter before the end of September showing your support for this effort?
Please write a letter on your company letterhead addressed to:
Dr. John C. Souders
National Center for Optics and Photonics Education
P.O. Box 21689
Waco, Texas 76702-1689
Include a paragraph that covers what you hope to get from the project (new employees, help training current employees, trained faculty, etc) and what impact that might have on you, the community, and/or the state.
If possible, please include a paragraph that covers what you might be willing to contribute. This includes – having someone from your company on the advisory board (which only requires 3-4 meetings per year), donation of equipment or supplies for the program, participation in an internship program, allowing employees to be adjunct professors for the program, or anything else you can think of.
Please be generous with your support for this program. Stating that you plan to hire graduates of the program, participate in an internship program, donate or volunteer does not bind you to these actions at this time.
