FLATE the NSF Center of Excellence at HCC Wins ePIE Business/Education Partnership Award

TAMPA, Fla. - Sept. 24, 2013 - PRLog -- Florida Advanced Technological Education (FLATE),  the National Science Foundation Center of Excellence in manufacturing at Hillsborough Community College in Brandon, was recently named winner of the ePIE Business/Education Partnership Award. The Award recognizes businesses, organizations, schools and individuals committed to enhancing students’ education in Manatee County. Nominees for the award are selected by Manatee County Public Schools and reviewed by a panel of community representatives.

FLATE was named an ePIE award winner for its partnership with Lakewood Ranch High School’s (LRHS) engineering program. The center was nominated by Michelle Todoroff, career and college advisor and industry certification coordinator, for its role in supporting and helping LRHS engineering students get industry certified through MSSC (Manufacturing Skill Standards Council) testing. As a result of this support 31 LRHS students earned their Certified Production Technician (CPT) certification last year.

The MSSC CPT credential articulates to 15 credit hours of the technical core for the statewide Engineering Technology (ET) degree (http://madeinflorida.org/engineering-technology-degree/e-...) developed by FLATE.  The 15 credits seamlessly transfer to any of the 14 colleges offering the ET degree in Florida. The MSSC CPT is also one component of the National Association of Manufacturers-endorsed Stackable Certification System (SCS).  This SCS system aligns industry validated credentials with academic programs and occupations supporting all manufacturing sectors.

For more information on FLATE and the statewide engineering technology degree, contact Dr. Marilyn Barger, executive director of FLATE, or visit www.madeinflorida.org and www.fl-ate.org. For information on the ePIE awards visit www.manatee.k12.fl.us/community/epie.html

FLATE (http://www.fl-ate.org/) is a National Science Foundation Regional Center of Excellence, committed to ensuring Florida has a well prepared workforce for advanced and emerging technologies. Created in 2004, FLATE is one of 46 Advanced Technological Education Centers in the United States funded by the National Science Foundation focused on improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and training to meet the needs of American advanced technology industries. For more information visit www.fl-ate.org.