Pond Ingenuity Fall 2018

Pond Ingenuity Fall 2018 15 For every skilled worker entering the workforce, there are five that retire. This attrition is resulting a shortage in the skilled labor market that cannot satisfy the rapid escalation in community development. So, how can architects help influence a reversal in this trend? By providing workforce development training facilities that provide technical education institutions with an increased ability to compete with four-year universities and recruit students by creating spaces and places that will keep a student on campus. Not unlike four-year institutions, technical colleges are now offering amenities attractive to a diverse demographic. At Midlands Technical College, we designed public areas at the Advanced Materials and Skilled Crafts Center to include wireless touchdown spots, and collaboration spaces outside of the classroom, allowing students to both work and socialize in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings. Where do you see top trends in the design of workforce development facilities heading? So much of technical education training emulates the practical workforce development experience. Simulation labs in healthcare environments that replicate surgery and radiologic suites are now commonplace. And technology labs supporting Mechatronics and Robotics programs are being designed to adapt to both evolving technologies and curriculum. Today’s technical colleges are so much more than what we commonly envision, and have grown beyond providing trades- based education. We are currently contracted to design a new technical education campus with roughly 50 programs ranging from diesel technologies and trades programs, to nursing, cosmetology and dentistry. Providing ways for corporate and industry partners to participate is also important. Technical colleges partner with local industry by providing training facilities and research labs which help local companies to grow. It’s a true partnership that ultimately leads to filling jobs with qualified labor, strengthening local economies overall. We engage corporate partners and seek out ways to incorporate or promote their brand in the design, and bring visibility into the lab and classroom environments. This fosters connections and awareness of and in-between programs, and a higher level of student engagement. How does Pond fit into the cycle of workforce education and economic development in technical education? Pond works hard to play a productive role in growing the economy in communities it serves. For more than a decade, we have enjoyed a very active “Intern to Employee” multi-year development program with Georgia’s prominent architecture and engineering institutions. We also contribute time and funding at the K-12 level to promote STEM related studies and projects. Throughout the state, our Virtual Design & Construction team works directly with city and county economic development groups to provide 3D site test fits backed by zoning reviews and transportation expertise to interested manufacturing and industrial companies looking to locate or expand their operations. We are connected with centers of innovation and economic development agencies to share our expertise to help advance their economic development missions. By contributing to growth, the industrial and manufacturing needs in Georgia, Pond completes the cycle by helping to increase the need for workforce education to prepare future generations of workforce leaders.  Mark Levine, FAIA, LEED AP Vice President, Architecture, Pond