RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Sept. 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Engineering Competency Model (ECM)—an engineering career development guide that was conceived and co-developed by ISA and its affiliate, the Automation Federation—has earned a 2016 Power of A Gold Award from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).
ASAE's Power of A (association) Awards (www.thepowerofa.org/awards/) recognize outstanding accomplishments of associations and industry professionals for their efforts to enrich lives, create a competitive workforce, prepare society for the future, drive innovation and make a better world.
The award was formally presented in mid-July to the American Association of Engineering Societies (AAES), which partnered with ISA, the Automation Federation (the "Voice of Automation") and the US Department of Labor to create the ECM. ISA also is a member organization of AAES.
The ECM is based on the framework and development process used to create the Automation Competency Model (ACM)—a collaborative effort between the Automation Federation and the US Department of Labor that outlines the specific personal, academic, workplace and technical competencies required to succeed in an automation career. The ECM leverages the same design as the ACM in detailing the precise skill sets and competencies needed to become a proficient engineer.
"These two competency models are valuable tools that guide young people toward rewarding careers in STEM-focused fields, and support the greater effort to educate and train a globally competitive workforce," says Steve Huffman, an ISA and Automation Federation leader who played a pivotal role in the creation of both models. "We're proud to have contributed to the ECM because it helps to bridge knowledge gaps between automation and engineering career planning, and applies our expertise in competency modeling to the broader disciplines of engineering."
Career competency models are increasingly relied upon by industry leaders, employers, human resource professionals, educators and workforce professionals to identify specific employer skill needs, develop competency-based curricula and training models, and craft industry-defined performance indicators, skill standards and certifications.
Both the ACM and ECM are multi-tiered models that feature a pyramid to depict the required key competencies. The titles of both models' first three tiers (Personal Effectiveness Competencies, Academic Competencies, and Workplace Competencies) are identical. The upper tiers of the models contrast, reflecting the different technical competencies required of each discipline.
The stakes are high in the movement to build workers capable of competing in high-tech fields. Currently, not enough young people are entering careers in automation and engineering—even though salaries are highly attractive and openings plentiful.
Increasing the supply of workers qualified and prepared to compete for jobs in automation and engineering is a daunting challenge facing manufacturers worldwide. Experts project that over the next 10 years nearly 3.5 million manufacturing jobs in the US alone will be needed.
ISA leveraged the success of the ACM in moving to develop the ECM
Given the strong marketplace acceptance of the ACM as a guide for securing the skills and competencies needed for a career in automation, ISA—led by ISA Executive Director & CEO Patrick Gouhin—began to explore the need for a new engineering-focused competency model.
Through discussions ISA held with the US Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration and the AAES, all parties agreed to work together to develop a competency model for engineering—with ISA taking the lead on the project.
Primarily directing the effort were Huffman and Steve Mustard, another key contributor to the formation of the ACM and a member of the Automation Federation's cybersecurity and workforce development working groups.
The development initiative—which drew on the input of subject matter experts from government, academia, professional associations and private industry—required 15 months to complete. Funding was provided by a grant from the United Engineering Foundation.
The ECM was formally unveiled in July of last year.
"The development of the Engineering Competency Model demonstrates the power of associations coming together to collectively achieve what an individual association cannot do alone," said Alyse Stofer, AAES chair, in a recent AAES press release. "The model brought together leaders from a variety of engineering disciplines to establish a more consistent guideline on the competencies that are common to all engineers.
Additional resources and information relating to the ECM
AAES resources on the ECM, including a two-minute video and PowerPoint presentation with speaker's guide, have been created: for faculty, guidance counselors and others who work with individuals entering the STEM pipeline; and to provide specific guidance on the core competencies and skills necessary for entering the engineering profession as well as maintaining proficiency during one's career. The resources can be downloaded from http://www.aaes.org/model and are relevant to association leaders and practicing engineers as well.
About AAES
The American Association of Engineering Societies (AAES) is a multidisciplinary organization of engineering societies dedicated to advancing the knowledge, understanding, and practice of engineering. AAES member societies represent the mainstream of U.S. engineering — engineers in industry, government, and academia.
For more information, visit www.aaes.org
About ISA
The International Society of Automation (www.isa.org) is a nonprofit professional association that sets the standard for those who apply engineering and technology to improve the management, safety, and cybersecurity of modern automation and control systems used across industry and critical infrastructure. Founded in 1945, ISA develops widely used global standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; hosts conferences and exhibits; and provides networking and career development programs for its 40,000 members and 400,000 customers around the world.
ISA owns Automation.com, a leading online publisher of automation-related content, and is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org), an association of non-profit organizations serving as "The Voice of Automation." Through a wholly owned subsidiary, ISA bridges the gap between standards and their implementation with the ISA Security Compliance Institute (www.isasecure.org) and the ISA Wireless Compliance Institute (www.isa100wci.org).