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Explore Industry 5.0 insights! Learn how Industry 5.0 is shaping the future! Industry 5.0 The National Science Foundation funded National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing acknowledges the every changing landscape of emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence. The definition of Industry 5.0 "Industry 5.0 is an evolution of Industry 4.0 that emphasizes a human-centric , sustainable , and resilient approach to manufacturing. It focuses on combining advanced technology like AI and robotics with human creativity to personalize production, empower workers, and reduce the environmental impact of industry. This contrasts with Industry 4.0's main focus on automation and data exchange." Artificial Intelligence Use Cases in MFG Quality Control AI monitors production lines, detecting issues through cameras and prioritizing maintenance to prevent large-scale failures. Demand Forecasting AI aids in material cost estimation, demand forecasting, and inventory optimization, reducing waste and improving resource use. Smart Manufacturing Smart Manufacturing often involve case studies using tools like IBM Maximo, Siemens MindSphere, and GE Predix, that utilizes AI. Predictive Maintence Predictive maintenance AI uses sensor data (e.g., vibrations from CNC machines) to detect anomalies, preventing downtime and reducing costs. Data Analytics AI analyzes historical bid data to optimize pricing strategies and reduce manual workload in competitive bidding scenarios. Explore Resources Explore articles and sources regarding Artificial Intelligence in the manufacturing sector by heading to our AI Resources and Literature page!

Explore AI Literacy Resources with our Education Community. Discover essential AI Literacy Resources to enhance your understanding today. AI Literacy Resources Intel Artificial Intelligence in Education resources and curriclum. Artificial Intelligence Workforce Program for Students Microsoft Artificial Intelligence Literacy and resources. MIT Technology Review Insights with Microsoft Google AI Literacy, workforce readiness and pathways to workforce devlopment. EdAdvance Skills21 offers AI in education programs, training, professional learning, podcasts, and resources.

Community of Practice Archive The National Center for Next Generational Manufacturing archive of Community of Practice Resources, Videos, and Presentations. November 7th 2025 Collaboration with the National Applied AI Consortium (NAAIC) and FANUC America Corporation May 14th, 2026 Collaboration with the National Applied AI Consortium (NAAIC) and the Advanced Manufacturing Technical Education Collaborative (AMTEC).

Explore NCNGM Leadership insights. Join our education community of practice to enhance your leadership skills with NCNGM resources. National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing Leadership Dedicated to the dissemination of educational resources for workforce pathways for the manufacturing industry. Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch Executive Director & Principal Investigator Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch has been a champion of engineering and technology education for over 30 years. Since 1995, she has been the State Director of the CT College of Technology (COT) where her leadership has been instrumental in creating nationally recognized seamless pathway programs in engineering and technology between all 12 Connecticut public community colleges (now merged to CT State Community College) with 10 universities and technical and comprehensive high schools. She is also the Executive Director and Principal Investigator of the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing (NCNGM), a National Science Foundation (NSF) Center of Excellence and a professor emeritus in Applied Technology at Connecticut State Community College Tunxis. She has received over $30M in funding from the NSF, including two grants for international partnerships. Karen has implemented strategies resulting in an increase in the enrollment of underrepresented populations in STEM programs at the community colleges. Karen has received numerous awards for her accomplishments as a professor and for her passion for increasing the diversity of the STEM population including the 2016 Distinguished Service Award from the international honor society Epsilon Pi Tau (EPT), the 2018 CT Women of Innovation Award in the Postsecondary Academic Innovation & Leadership Category, the 2012 New England Board of Higher Education Excellence Award for the State of CT and most recently, the 2020 HI TEC Innovative Program of the Year Award and the 2021 ITEEA Special Recognition Award. In 2014, she was invited to the White House College Opportunity Summit recognizing leaders like Karen for their commitment to STEM education. She also serves on numerous local and national boards including the Epsilon Pi Tau Honor Society, Hartford High's Pathway for Engineering and Green Technology, and the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System. Ann Beheler Industry Engagement Director Dr. Ann Beheler is the Industry Engagement Director who strategically leads the Business Industry Leadership Team (BILT) high employer engagement model she developed for the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing. She has taught hundreds of colleges and universities to implement the model to deepen their employer relationships and align curriculum. Additionally, due to her work with Miami Dade College and the National Applied Artificial Intelligence Consortium, she is uniquely positioned to lead upcoming industry-led work for integrating AI into Manufacturing programs. Over the past several years, she has dedicated herself to helping educators to better align undergraduate education in technical fields to the future knowledge, skill, and ability needs of business and industry through the BILT process she originated. This work has resulted in a much wider pipeline of well-qualified job candidates and increasing business engagement with higher education programs overall. She is known for successfully connecting employers and educators, as evidenced by her receiving the “2020 Future 50” award from Dallas Innovates, an online news source that provides information about DFW startups, enterprise, education, invention, creatives, technology, and social innovators. Dr. Beheler has split her career between corporate leadership in various college leadership roles, passionately working to help others to achieve learning that launches their careers in numerous discipline areas. Dr. Beheler works primarily with emerging programs for several major grant programs and individual colleges to ensure that business and industry subject matter experts co-lead all work so that the students who graduate from these programs gain profitable long-term careers. She was Director of Certification Testing and Training at Novell, Director of Product Development at Raytheon, and Project Manager for the first distributed system pilot project in IT for Rockwell International. Additionally, she has been an instructor, a dean, and a Vice President for Academic Affairs. Chris Dennis Assistant Professor of Engineering Technology Experienced Supply Chain Management with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Skilled in Negotiation, Continuous Improvement, Kaizen, Supply Management, and Product Development. Strong education professional with AAS, BS, and MBA Degrees. Affiliated with Columbus State Community College in Ohio. Andrew Dunn Industrial Technology Coordinator and Trainer Andrew Dunn holds Associate degrees in Mechatronics and Drafting from Central Community College and delivers practical instruction in industrial maintenance with an emphasis on real-world troubleshooting. At Central Community College, Andrew helped develop PLC, HMI, and servo training systems that reflect real industrial environments. His industry experience includes working at ADM as an ethanol operator and advancing into a controls and automation technician role at BD Medical. He also supports iMEC 2.0, expanding mechatronics dual-credit opportunities in high schools to strengthen the future workforce pipeline. Andrew’s goal is to help organizations quickly upskill employees, improve reliability, and build confident, capable technicians through hands-on training. Matt Mervis Director of Skills21 & AI Strategy at EdAdvance Matt Mervis is a senior nonprofit team leader based in Litchfield, Connecticut, who enables immersive project-based learning and AI. Matt has deep experience in education, having served in various roles as a teacher, professional development specialist, district technology director, and product developer. Matt is currently building AI/PBL product integration on the Skills21 platform and presents frequently on AI and the future of education. He is also a co-host of the AI in Education Podcast ChatEDU, sponsored by the NCNGM. Marco Taverner Community Engagement Coordinator Marco's role as Community Engagement Coordinator with the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing involves fostering career pathways from community colleges to the manufacturing industry. As a Social Media Consultant, he began working on the team in early 2024. His professional journey is a commitment to effective outreach for advanced manufacturing initiatives and pathways for community college students to enter the nation's workforce. He is utilizing a strategic approach to social media to amplify NCNGM’s mission and connect with stakeholders. He has prior experience in higher education outreach at Central Connecticut State University’s Student Center. Marco is continuing his education at Connecticut State Community College and immerses himself in the community college process’ and pathways to success. He also has experience utilizing his skills for networking and outreach at conferences and summits. With a fresh perspective on manufacturing education and industry pathways, Marco is eager to continue the center’s efforts to disseminate and celebrate the potential for a qualified workforce. Wendy Robicheau Assistant Director Wendy is the Assistant Director for the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, funded by the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education Program. She began working on NSF ATE grants for the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities System in 2012. Her work on these grants has grown her passion for making students, parents, educators and counselors aware of the educational and career pathways that are possible in STEM fields with an emphasis on advanced manufacturing. Her focus is on students from populations that are typically underrepresented in STEM fields, including females. Her favorite activities are those highlighting the accomplishments of our students and those that provide them with experiences that enhance there coursework. She has organized and participated in numerous local, national, and international initiatives over the years where she has both shared and learned about addressing STEM workforce needs and has also published and presented papers for these conferences. Wendy has her Master’s Degree in Student Development in Higher Education from Central Connecticut State University and is a member of the Steering Committee for the American. Suj Chandrasekhar NCNGM Business and Industry Leadership Team Chair Dr. Suj Chandrasekhar is the founder and principal of Strategic Insights Inc. Strategic Insights specializes in Economic Trends, Market Research, Advanced Analytics, and AI-powered platforms to serve clients in the private and public sectors. Suj has a Ph.D. in Organization Strategy from the University of Iowa. Suj is widely published in a range of business areas in a variety of publications including the Harvard Business Review, the Wall Street Journal, MIT Sloan Review, Forbes among others. Her work in smart manufacturing has been presented at various conferences and hailed as one of the most impactful research series in the field. Strategic Insights has collaborated widely with the National Center for Advanced Manufacturing in this effort. Their research on the State of Smart Manufacturing is now part of the Intelligent Data sets of the World Economic Forum. Strategic Insights and the National Center for Advanced Manufacturing partner on scaling Manufacturing 4.0 in a number of states including Texas, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, California, and others. Jeremy Banta Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management Jeremy Banta is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel with over 30 years’ experience in civilian and military logistics. He is currently an Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Supply Chain Management Program at Columbus State Community College in Columbus Ohio. His military career includes 15 years full time service in the Ohio National Guard as a senior logistician with deployments to Iraq and Kuwait. He serves the logistics industry by serving on multiple local school and organizational advisory boards, as well as being the co-founder of the Ohio Supply Chain Academic Network (O-SCAN), a member of Columbus Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Chair of the Columbus Region Logistics Council (CRLC), a Director-At-Large for the Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC) Advisory Council and a member of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) Academic Strategies Committee. Tim Baber Department Chair for Welding and Advanced Manufacturing Technology Experienced professor and department chair at College of the Canyons, California, with a demonstrated history of working in higher education. Skilled in Instructional Design, Public Speaking, Curriculum Development, Metal Fabrication, and Manufacturing. Works to create effective partnerships with local and national businesses and educational institutions. Extensive experience in development of welding programs that include welder training, welding procedure specification development, and welder certification credentialing. John Birch Consultant John is a Certified Professional Behaviors Analyst (CPBA), Certified Professional Motivators Analyst (CPMA), TriMetrix® certified, and a Certified Professional Emotional Quotient Analyst (CPEQA). These certifications, awarded by TTI Success Insights on behalf of Target Training International, Ltd., recognize training, education, and practical application of the history of behavioral models, including the DISC model, and behavioral knowledge based on validated, research-based instruments. They also recognize knowledge of the history of motivators as developed by Eduard Spranger and TTI and the six hierarchies of human motivation and how they relate to communicating in the workplace and beyond. As a CPEQA, John is certified to teach the five dimensions of emotional intelligence, including emotional enablers and disablers as well as to interpret emotional quotient in people and analyze and integrate the combination of Behaviors and Motivators with Emotional Intelligence.

Discover the NCNGM Community of Practice, an education community fostering collaboration and growth. Join our Community of Practice today! Community of Practice What is the NCNGM Community of Practice? The National Science Foundation funded National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing Community of Practice is a community of various stakeholders identifying best practices in the advanced manufacturing sector and is a way for members to reach out to the national center for more resources and networking opportunities. Benefits of joining our Community of Practice include: Certificate of membership Networking and partnership opportunities Priority acceptance to the NCNGM’s activities and workshops Mentorship for grant proposals Dissemination of educational resources you’ve developed via the NCNGM website and additional platforms Membership can also serve as leverage for grant applications, promotion applications, and validation with industry Who should attend and join? Advanced manufacturing workforce stakeholders Community College Educators High School educators representatives from Business, Industry Economic Development agencies Government Agencies Non-profits. Register today and receive email updates for all of our upcoming Community of Practices and other events. Registration This map represents all of our Community of Practice stakeholders in various states, including ATE Centers and projects, Community College and High School educators, representatives from Business, Industry, Economic Development agencies, Government Agencies, and Non-profits. Stay tuned for more interactive details. If you want to be represented contact Marco Taverner, Community Engagement Coordinator at mtaverner.ncngm@gmail.com March 2026 Today Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 23 Day (2/7) Engineer's Week 24 Day (3/7) Engineer's Week 25 Day (4/7) Engineer's Week 26 Day (5/7) Engineer's Week 27 Day (6/7) Engineer's Week +1 more 28 Day (7/7) Engineer's Week 1 2 9:00 AM WiM EAST 2026 3 4 5 6 5:00 AM Chat EDU Podcast at Skills 21 by Edadvance 7 8 9 10 10:00 AM Texas A&M University Free Workshops +2 more 11 12 11:00 AM Women in Manufacturing: Management Development Program 13 5:00 AM Chat EDU Podcast at Skills 21 by Edadvance 14 15 Day (1/4) Innovations Conference 16 Day (2/4) Innovations Conference +1 more 17 Day (3/4) Innovations Conference +1 more 18 Day (4/4) Innovations Conference +1 more 19 Day (3/3) Plastics Technology XPO +1 more 20 5:00 AM Chat EDU Podcast at Skills 21 by Edadvance 21 22 23 Day (1/5) Women in Manufacturing: Management Development Program 24 Day (2/5) Women in Manufacturing: Management Development Program +1 more 25 Day (3/5) Women in Manufacturing: Management Development Program +1 more 26 Day (4/5) Women in Manufacturing: Management Development Program +1 more 27 Day (5/5) Women in Manufacturing: Management Development Program +2 more 28 Day (4/4) ITEEA Annual Conference 29 30 31 1 2 3 5:00 AM Chat EDU Podcast at Skills 21 by Edadvance 4 5

The following resources are for industry and stakeholders to explore what the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing can offer you. This includes links to resource pages for industry, government agencies, non profits, and more! Industry and Resources Join Our Community of Practice Join our Community of Practice to connect with other stakeholders including but not limited to: Academia, Industry, and Government agencies. Become a BILT Member Join our Business and Industry Leadership Team to keep advanced manufacturing knowledge skills and abilities (KSA) up to date. Women in Manufacturing Best practices and resources for all featuring videos from Women in Manufacturing (WiM) and the NCNGM You Belong video series. Become an NCNGM Collaborator Contact the NCNGM Team to become an industry collaborator. Industry 5.0 Learn about emerging technologies such as the distinction between Industry 5.0 and 4.0, cybersecurity, and more. AI in Manufacturing Explore our upcoming AI Initiatives and resources. Career Descriptions and Opportunities Browse our industry specifications for technician education in different advanced manufacturing disciplines. Veterans Best practices and resources for all, featuring the NCNGM "You Belong" video series. Partners & Collaborators Visit Partners & Collaborators for Additional Resources

The following resources are for educators and counselors to explore what the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing can offer you. This includes links to resource pages for faculty, academic counselors in high school or higher education, and more! Educators and Counselors NCNGM Webinars View our archive of past webinars. Sign up to be a member on our site to gain exclusive early access to our more recent webinars, recordings and materials. Virtual Workshops Learn and apply to nationwide virtual workshops and professional development. Women in Manufacturing Best practices and resources for all featuring videos from Women in Manufacturing (WiM) and the NCNGM You Belong video series. Professional Development Opportunities Learn and apply to our web-based or in-person workshops in partnership with community colleges across the nation. Grant Funding and Mentorship NCNGM offers funding through our grant and mentorship opportunities with subject matter experts in the academic sector. Career Resources for Your Students Refer your students to our Student & Parents page for more information. Curriculum Development Resources Repository of curriculum development resources and files. These materials are provided with the permission of their authors and should be credited if used elsewhere. Veterans Best practices and resources for all, featuring the NCNGM "You Belong" video series. Partners & Collaborators Visit Partners & Collaborators for Additional Resources

Join our virtual workshops for interactive learning and skill-building. Perfect for educators and students in our education community. Virtual Workshops April 2025 Dealing with Difficult People Dealing with Difficult People Friday, April 25th, 2025 - Virtual 11:00am-3:00pm For High School and community college educator participants only. All participants will receive a Microcredential for each workshop ATTENDED. May 2025 Emotional Intelligence Emotional Intelligence Friday May 16th, 2025 - Virtual 11:00am-3:00pm For High School and community college educator participants only. All participants will receive a Microcredential for each workshop ATTENDED. Coming Soon 2026 DISC Behavioral Styles DISC Behavioral Styles will take place all day (9am-5pm). All participants will receive a Microcredential for each workshop ATTENDED. July 2026 Summer Teacher's Workshop Technology & Professional Skills Training For Classroom Implementation Technology Topics & Skills Including: Programming using micro:bits ~ DC Electrical Circuits 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing ~ SolidWorks 3D Modeling Artificial Intelligence ~ Laser Technologies Teambuilding Topics & Skills Including: Development & Preservation of Effective Teams Understanding Behavioral Diversity using DISC Professional & Interpersonal Skills ~ Emotional Intelligence Regularly Scheduled Community of Practice Regularly scheduled Community of Practice virtual meetings. Refer to our Community of Practice page for further details.

Explore AI Articles and Literature to deepen your understanding of AI in manufacturing. Join our education community for insightful resources. AI Articles and Literature The American Mural Project Intel Artificial Intelligence in Education resources and curriclum. Artificial Intelligence Workforce Program for Students Microsoft Artificial Intelligence Literacy and resources. MIT Technology Review Insights with Microsoft Google AI Literacy, workforce readiness and pathways to workforce devlopment. EdAdvance Skills21 offers AI in education programs, training, professional learning, podcasts, and resources. Service Now 2025 Workforce Skills Forecast Jayney Howson SVP, Learning and Development, ServiceNow, Martin Hill VP, Learning and Development, ServiceNow, John Rogers VP, Strategic Accounts, Pearson, Richard McGill Murphy Head of Global Thought Leadership Research, ServiceNow Link Winning the Race AMERICA’S AI ACTION PLAN Donald J. Trump 45th and 47th President of the United States, Michael J. Kratsios Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, David O. Sacks Special Advisor for AI and Crypto, Marco A. Rubio Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Link How stronger university-industry partnerships could close America's AI knowledge gap AI Data Press - News Team Link Generative AI’s Transformative Impact on Manufacturing: Unleashing the Power of Industrial Data Moe Tanabian Chief Product Officer, Cognite Link The future workforce: Bridging the industrial skills gap with AI The Manufacturer Link Improving worker optimization on the factory floor with artificial intelligence Chris Vavra Senior editor WTWH Media LLC Link How manufacturers are reskilling factory workers for AI adoption Sakshi Udavant Manufacturing Dive Link Manufacturing’s Skilled Labor Gap: How AI Is Transforming the Industry Chris Kuntz Vice President of Strategic Operations Augmentir Link Building an AI-Ready Workforce: Preparing Manufacturing Employees for the Future Allie Pizzemento Link Upskilling Front-Line Workers for an AI-Powered Future Bijal Shah CEO of Guild Link Nurturing a Workforce Ready for AI Integration in Manufacturing Arjun Chandar Founder and CEO IndustrialML Link Q&A: Upskilling Manufacturing Factory Workers With AI Rehana Begg Editor-in-Chief Machine Design Link How manufacturers are reskilling factory workers for AI adoption Sakshi Udavant Link Essential AI Skills and Training for the Modern Factory Worker Fero Labs Link Rockwell Automation 2025 State of Smart Manufacturing Report Rockwell Automation Link ARM Institute Issues Future of Work Study Detailing Best Practices and Collective Efforts Needed to Build a Sustainable and Resilient U.S. Manufacturing Workforce The ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute Link

Explore AI Nationwide Initiatives to learn about Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies Initiatives. Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies Initiatives Skills21 at EdAdvance Artificial Intelligence tools are influencing our lives and redefining education and the workforce at a rapid pace. Vital skills such as communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, managing ambiguity, and creativity are becoming increasingly important as we prepare students, teachers, and employees for a future deeply intertwined with AI. The Skills21 team supports schools, organizations, and businesses looking to amplify their success through GenAI. This work includes keynote presentations, hands-on training, and AI tools. For more info, contact: Matt Mervis, Director of Skills21 and AI Strategy, at EdAdvance. mervis@edadvance.org National Applied AI Consortium NAAIC is transforming how AI is taught at community colleges nationwide. Through strategic partnerships with leading technology companies and educational institutions, we provide the resources, training, and connections faculty need to teach AI effectively, helping colleges develop programs that create accessible pathways to high-demand careers. For whom is NAAIC: Faculty who need specialized training to teach cutting-edge AI concepts and technologies College Administrators seeking guidance on developing effective AI programs that serve their communities Industry Partners who understand what skills are needed in the workforce and have educational resources to share NAAIC serves as the bridge between these communities, facilitating collaboration, resource-sharing, and best practices at a national scale. For more info, contact: naaic@mdc.edu Sustainable Living Lab (SL2) Sustainable Living Lab (SL2) is a sustainability consultancy and innovation lab founded in Singapore in 2011. Our skillset lies in building comprehensive sustainability strategies that leverage technologies across our clients’ businesses. Our clients include several Governments, international development organisations, leading MNCs, and SMEs. Our skillset is in utilising technology as a lever for sustainability and following a community-driven approach to implementation. We have a strong presence in Asia and beyond, with teams in Singapore, Indonesia, India, and the US. Our projects span 40 countries. For more information contact: info@sustainablelivinglab.org

The following resources are for all stakeholders to explore what the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing can offer you. This includes links to AI literacy, Industrial AI, Cybersecurity, and other emerging technologies! Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing AI in MFG Resources Many major players in industry are investing in AI, but understand the gap in learning. These articles provide insight to the state of Artificial Intelligence in the Manufacturing sector. Industry 5.0 Defining Industry 5.0, its relationship to AI in manufacturing, and refining pre-existing ideas from Industry 4.0. AI Literacy Resources for educators on Artificial Intelligence Literacy and what that means for education for all levels of education. AI Informational Videos Informational videos on different aspects and kinds of AI. National AI Initiatives NCNGM AI initiatives and partnerships. AI Curriculum Resources Details on Artificial Intelligence, including AI literacy, industrial AI uses, and curriculum development. (Coming Soon) Partners & Collaborators Visit Partners & Collaborators for Additional Resources

The following resources are for students and parents to explore what the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing can offer you. This includes links to resource pages for high school students, prospective community college students, and more! Students and Parents Experience Manufacturing Experience Manufacturing through nationwide initiatives including but not limited to MFG Day by the National Association of Manufacturers. Career Descriptions & Opportunities Explore career pathways, resources, and descriptions on this informative page. Women in Manufacturing Best practices and resources for all featuring videos from Women in Manufacturing (WiM) and the NCNGM You Belong video series. Student Success Stories Video profiles of Success Stories by past students in advanced manufacturing technician education. Podcast Recommendations NCNGM recommended podcasts. Including the NCNGM sponsored podcast ChatEDU, an AI in Education podcast hosted by Skills21 at EdAdvance. Advanced Manufacturing Education Browse advanced manufacturing initiatives to help your journey in technician education, whether you are pursuing a certificate, stackable credentials, associates or 4 year degree or beyond. Scholarships Comprehensive list of scholarships available. Click the link descriptions for deadlines. Veterans Best practices and resources for all, featuring the NCNGM "You Belong" video series. Professional Organizations & Credentials List of professional organizations in manufacturing and engineering. Partners & Collaborators Visit Partners & Collaborators for Additional Resources