Central Virginia Community College’s (CVCC) Marcella Gale, mechatronics faculty and program head, was selected by the Center for Occupational Research and Development (CORD) through her National Science Foundation (NSF) grant work to participate in an EU Study Tour in April. This prestigious opportunity was part of the NSF grant-funded project, Preparing Technicians for the Future of Work.
Preparing Technicians for the Future of Work is a US National Science Foundation project led by CORD, aimed at fostering collaboration between community college educators and industry partners to address the impact of emerging technologies on workforce needs. With a focus on advanced digital literacy, data knowledge and analysis, and business processes, the project seeks to equip graduates with essential skills applicable across industries. In line with this initiative, competitive applications were sought for an EU Study Tour to Spain and Germany.
During the tour, Gale and her fellow educators journeyed through Spain and Germany, visiting industrial facilities and training centers to gain invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of technical education. The itinerary included stops at renowned institutions such as SMC, MONDRAGON, IMH, DANOBAT, TKNIKA, MAN Truck & Bus, FESTO, and SIEMENS, among others.
Armed with these learnings, Gale will identify innovative practices to integrate into curriculum and programs at CVCC. Furthermore, Gale hopes to disseminate her findings through webinars, conference presentations, and potentially joint presentations with EU counterparts.
"I am honored and excited to be selected for this enriching experience," said Marcella Gale. "This tour presented a unique opportunity to collaborate with international counterparts, gain insights into cutting-edge practices, and ultimately enhance the quality of technical education at CVCC."
Ms. Gale’s participation in the EU Study Tour underscores CVCC's commitment to staying at the forefront of technical education and ensuring that students are prepared for the demands of the future workforce.
For more information about Marcella Gale and CVCC's mechatronics program, please visit https://centralvirginia.edu/programs-classes/industry-and-manufacturing/mechatronics-aas.