Small companies and workforce education programs like those in the ATE community are natural partners. Small companies need access to highly-trained personnel and expensive equipment. ATE programs need industry partners to help ensure that they're teaching marketable technical skills and to provide internships for students.
The NSF has supplemental funding available to support these kinds of partnerships between small businesses (with active SBIR funding) and community colleges. There are supplements available to support internships by college instructors (RET), student internships (REU, VRS), and phase IICC supplements to support partnerships.
The first presentation is from Dr. Ben... Read more