IAAM Mission
Instructors Apprenticeship for Advanced Manufacturing
There is a massive shortage of manufacturing technology instructors who are technically, culturally, and pedagogically competent and are capable of effectively teaching in middle and high schools, community colleges, incumbent training programs, and other adult training programs. This shortage immediately blocks efforts to close the skills gap in manufacturing. The lack of instructors is a regional as well as a national crisis.
Manufacturing Renaissance (MR), in partnership with the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS), the Chicago Teachers Union Foundation (CTUF) Quest Center, is seeking instructor apprentices to serve the Chicago region.
What do we mean by an instructor who is “technically, culturally, and pedagogically competent?”
- Technically Competent: Instructors will be able to confidently teach manufacturing skills as laid out in the NIMS credentials and standards while being able to implement technical skills specific for instructors.
- Manufacturing: Instructors will have the skills and knowledge to effectively teach and prepare students to successfully secure nationally-recognized industry credentials like those offered by NIMS. Examples of manufacturing technical skills and knowledge would be how to set-up, program, and operate a Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) mill and/or lathe.
- Instructional: Instructors will have the skills and knowledge to successfully translate their manufacturing competencies into an educational setting. Examples of instructional skills and knowledge would be awareness of corresponding Learning Management Systems (LMS) and basic functions, utilization of Computer-Aided-Design (CAD) for project development, and how to employ pre-defined functions of Microsoft Office products for lesson planning and data analysis (grading, progress tracking, etc…).
- Culturally Competent: Instructors will be able to identify and value diversities in their classrooms by strategically planning lessons that reflect the cultures representative of the children they teach. They will respect the diversity within and among cultures; avoid stereotyping and overgeneralizations; use effective learner-centered and parent-centered interactive communication skills to form and maintain constructive and collaborative relationships with students and families; and incorporate students’ cultural backgrounds into daily teaching practice as a way to honor and value diversity, build cultural competencies, and enhance the classroom environment and instruction.
- Pedagogically Competent: Instructors will be able to actively engage their students to learn about manufacturing by evoking analysis and critical thinking skills to develop solutions in the content area. They show the ability to plan, initiate, and lead project-based lessons and can manage the social-emotional needs of their students.
This will be a part-time program held in the evenings at the Quest Center for the components focused on teaching curriculum related to manufacturing, cultural competence, instructional technique, and classroom management led by Quest Center professional development facilitators. Apprentices under the supervision and guidance of Manufacturing Connect and NIMS staff will learn machining off-site utilizing machine shops of partner companies, community colleges, and other training providers such as the Jane Addams Resource Corporation, Technology and Manufacturing Association, and Richard J. Daley, City Colleges of Chicago.