Regional Planning & Program Management
As part of its economic development mission, DVIRC engages in specific region-wide projects that will have an impact on the business sectors it serves. Its current focus of energy is on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education.
Over the past several years, DVIRC has facilitated or been involved with program planning for the following initiatives;
- Applied Engineering Technology Pathways Program
- Greater Philadelphia Innovation Cluster funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Commerce
- National Defense Education Programming (NDEP) on behalf of the Naval Ship Systems Engineering Station at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
DVIRC was a prime partner in the planning and development of Applied Engineering Technology (AET) education with Delaware County Community College. The Center was the recipient of a High Growth Job Training Grant and directly involved in Delaware County’s Community Based Job Training Grant. These Department of Labor investments provided seed money for the growth and development of the AET program. For detailed information on Applied Engineering Technology Programs contact:
Delaware County Community College
Bernard J. Carrozza, Ed.D.
Project Administrator-CBJT
AET Career Pathways Program
Advanced Technology Center
610-359-7389
Community College of Philadelphia
Mary Anne Celenza
Dean, Math, Science and Health Careers
215-751-8583
Montgomery County Community College
William Brownlowe
Associate Professor of Engineering
215-641-6644
For the Greater Philadelphia Innovation Cluster (GPIC), DVIRC is working in partnership with Penn State, Princeton University, and the Collegiate Consortium to craft a work plan to support the multiple elements of GPIC activity. This work includes the following high-level tasks:
- Establish Education and Workforce Development Advisory Board
- Identify Skill Barriers to Improved Building Energy Efficiency
- Develop New and Revise Existing Education and Workforce Development Programs
- Devise Methods to Recruit Displaced Workers
- Devise Methods to Recruit and Place Underrepresented Workers in Quality Jobs
- Provide Outreach to K-12 Teachers and Students
- Create a System for Documentation, Assessment, and Continuous Improvement
Working with the Navy to develop a plan to bring National Defense Education Programming to scale in the region, the DVIRC convened nearly 300 people at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles. Individuals representing Congress, the Navy, the Department of Defense, manufacturers, universities, K-12 schools, and economic development organizations from Pennsylvania and surrounding states came together to take the next step in developing the technicians, engineers and scientists of tomorrow. The attendees were part of a large and growing movement focused on shaping the future of the Philadelphia Region and our nation as a whole. The event was followed by a focused planning session to lay out the specifics of a work plan, which is currently being written.
Presented by DVIRC, in cooperation with the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), the Innovation in STEM Conference was both a showcase of recent accomplishments and a mobilization of teams who will help launch new initiatives designed to get young people interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines. Presenters included speakers from the military, universities and industry.