Workforce Development
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Introduction
Over the past few decades, West Jefferson has had a strong consistency of its population graduating with a high school diploma as a minimum level of education (1990: 32.4%; 2000: 34.7%; 2010: 26%; 2019: 35.8%), equaling or exceeding state and national rates. However, those rates drop considerably when looking at individuals who continue their education after high school to pursue some college or go on to receive an associates and/or bachelors degree.
Vision
Develop a 3D Printing Bootcamp Program
The 3D Printing Bootcamp is designed to offer individuals an alternative career path within a niche market that aims to provide opportunities for high-paying jobs as well as building affordable housing within rural areas throughout the U.S.
What is 3D printing?
3D printing has been around for many decades but has recently experienced a rejuvenated interest. Considered a new method of manufacturing, 3D printing utilizes a specialized printer that reads a digital file and then prints a physical object made out of a specific material (plastic, concrete, etc.). This technology has been used to print all types of things, such as toys, organs, and building materials. However, 3D printing has, recently, been utilized to combat the existing housing crisis by printing more affordable housing units.
The housing crisis was only exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing housing values by roughly 20% and making the average cost of homes unaffordable for many Americans. Increasing lumber prices have also contributed to this problem. However, when utilizing 3D printing, the foundation of the home can be “printed” layer by layer with an alternative material, typically concrete. Traditional features, such as tresses, windows, insulation, etc., will still be included. Nonetheless, 3D printed homes can produce 80% less waste and result in a 15-30% cost reduction when compared to a traditional stick-built home. These can be attributed to their 100% smart home application utilizing an automated system and only taking 140 days (~4.5 months) to complete, whereas a stick-built single-family home takes roughly 200 days* (~7 months) to complete.
Mainly, 3D printing is able to reduce the overall cost of the home, making it a more affordable way to meet current housing needs as well as reduce environmental impact and waste.
*These numbers reflect 2020 data and might not reflect the significant delays COVID has caused to supply chain and logistics for housing/construction materials.
Check out this video of Alquist printing at the 2022 International Builder's Show!
Phase I: Form Collaborative Partnerships
To build out a workforce development program, a collection of strategic partnerships is necessary to be successful. Although one entity might be the leader of the initiative, it will take a network of partners to establish and sustain a program that truly works to serve the community.
STEP 1: Identify entity that will serve as the initiative leader
As this idea was being discussed, it was brought to Atlas’ attention that Wilkes Community College (WCC) was very interested in pursuing this idea for the region of Northwest North Carolina. We recommend WCC serve as the leader of this initiative due to their standing as a valuable and important organization, not only to West Jefferson but throughout the region.
Furthermore, an existing employee of the college (or plans to hire someone) should be identified to lead and support the goals and objectives of the bootcamp. A “train the trainer” model should be explored where the program manager is working onsite with Alquist to complete an intensive training program in order to adequately learn the curriculum and be able to lead the classroom instruction for the bootcamp.
STEP 2: Identify existing partners that can support program
Once a leader has been identified, they will need to further assess existing assets in the community, region, and state that can assist in the development and launch of this program. In addition to Alquist, partners such as NCWorks and Apprenticeship NC should be considered on how they can support the implementation of this program.
Phase II: Build Out a Curriculum
STEP 1: Establish curriculum foundation
Fortunately, Alquist has already built out a curriculum that can help establish a workforce program that trains individuals on how to operate these 3D printers. Their curriculum consists of an 8-week training and will provide a certificate upon completion, which will be recognized by other 3D-printing companies. Four weeks of training would include “classroom” training and the remaining four weeks would be completed onsite, with no prerequisites required.
STEP 2: Acquire a 3D Printer
In order to provide appropriate training to program participants, WCC will need to acquire a printer to have onsite. Alquist has created a License Agreement that allows entities to either purchase or lease a 3D printer for the term of the agreement.
STEP 3: Identify a bootcamp location
WCC’s Ashe Campus, located in West Jefferson, is a strong contender to be the host of the 3D Printing Bootcamp. The Ashe Workforce Center already provides employment and training services.
If the Ashe Campus does not have a large enough “classroom” for the printer, Atlas recommends evaluating existing vacant buildings in the West Jefferson community. During Atlas’ site visits, there were a number of vacant buildings* that could potentially serve as a temporary (or permanent) training site, including the Jefferson Station building or the Old Tobacco building. It would be ideal to have preliminary conversations with potential building owners to determine agreements and requirements needed to occupy the space.
*Eligible buildings should be 50 feet x 50 feet (2,500 square feet) with 20-foot ceilings, ideal buildings should also have indoor and outdoor space.
STEP 4: Identify potential priority populations
Once there is a foundation, West Jefferson can think about how to expand the program. The construction field is, typically, dominated by males, so how could West Jefferson focus on recruiting women or minority populations? Remember to think about additional services that might need to be in place in order for these individuals to participate in the program e.g. daycare, transportation, etc.
Here's an idea...
The 3D Printing Bootcamp can also work to address the housing needs identified in this plan. Therefore, it would be beneficial to begin discussions around a potential project site for a 3D printed home development. Once participants complete their training, they would become eligible to work on active project sites.
How can West Jefferson make themselves a top candidate for a 3D printing development?
Because Atlas is recommending the development of a 3D printing training program, West Jefferson should also be strategizing how to become a competitive candidate for a 3D printed housing development. The Housing Committee established to implement the Comprehensive Housing Strategy should begin working with the Town of West Jefferson to identify and prepare a location for a 3D housing development. Recommendations for this strategy are outlined in the Housing section.
Phase III: Program Launch
After a curriculum (and eventually, the apprenticeship program) has been established, it’s time to launch the program and begin recruiting participants.
STEP 1: Hold public meetings to announce program and raise awareness
WCC/West Jefferson should announce the program to the community and raise awareness of the new opportunity. Because the general public might not be aware of what 3D printing is or how it works, it’s important to provide educational sessions.
STEP 2: Develop marketing materials to promote program throughout the NW North Carolina region
Create flyers and other promotional materials to increase awareness and aid recruitment. They can be posted around town in local businesses, schools, and community gathering spaces, and online to social media. In addition, marketing material should be developed to be distributed throughout the county and NW North Carolina region.
STEP 3: Begin 3D Printing Bootcamp
Set a goal to enroll the first 3D Printing Bootcamp cohort by Summer 2023!
Resource Roadmap
Because WCC has been identified as the entity that will headline this initiative, it is expected that they will contribute some funds to support the program. However, if WCC (and partnering entities) cannot provide enough funds to initiate or sustain the program, other funding will need to be secured.
The North Carolina Department of Commerce offers a Program Enhancement Grant, which can be used to support or sponsor innovative approaches to workforce development. This would require WCC to work with a Workforce Development board Business Services Representative to discuss further details about the grant opportunity.
The Department of Commerce also offers the One North Carolina Fund, which is a discretionary cash-grant program that is meant to support competitive job-creation projects. There is a tier system based on demographic information and Ashe County is ranked in Tier 2, which would require a local match of $1 for every $2 provided by the One NC Fund.
The Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative provides funds to Appalachian communities that are working to recover from economic hardship, including the impacts of the opioid epidemic. This program supports workforce development activities that prepare dislocated workers, new entrants to the workforce, and incumbent workers for good jobs in high-demand occupations.
Should West Jefferson determine that individuals who struggle with substance abuse be a priority population for the program, they could apply for funding through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)’s INSPIRE Initiative. This initiative provides funds that support recovery-focused training, one of the pillars within ARC’s Recovery Ecosystem Model.
Because WCC will be the leader of this initiative, they can apply for funding offered by the Duke Energy/Piedmont Community College Grant Program through The Foundation for the Carolinas. This program specifically supports developing a skill pipeline for existing and potential industry through apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs for adults within the community college’s service area.
The 3D Printing Bootcamp meets the requirements as a priority funding area for Golden Leaf Foundation’s Open Grants Program. The bootcamp is seeking to help close skills gaps and increase the pool of qualified individuals, as well as create new jobs within West Jefferson. These are all qualifications that Golden Leaf is looking to support, especially with West Jefferson being an economically distressed and rural community.