Dayton Business Journal: Sinclair College, Wright State launch engineering technology degree transfer pathway

Two of the largest higher education institutions in the Dayton area are joining forces to meet a critical workforce demand for the region.

Sinclair College and Wright State University have launched a new transfer pathway program, giving students a direct path to bachelor’s degrees in engineering technology and ultimately strengthening Dayton’s workforce pipeline.

The new articulation agreement enables graduates of 10 associate degree programs at Sinclair to seamlessly transfer to Wright State, where they can continue their education and complete a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology.

“This partnership ensures a seamless public-school pathway to a high-demand, well-paying career in engineering technology,” said Darryl Ahner, dean of Wright State’s College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Sinclair students earning Associate of Applied Science degrees can continue their education through Wright State’s Engineering Technology program, which serves as a bridge between engineering theory and practical implementation and prepares graduates for roles essential to the operation of factories, manufacturing plants and service industries.

The degree program is designed to accommodate students from a variety of technical backgrounds, offering multiple concentrations that meet growing regional workforce demands in advanced manufacturing and other technical fields. It also offers flexible options for airmen and civilians at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, including those with degrees from the Community College of the Air Force or other two-year institutions.

“Technicians with associate’s degrees in fields like mechanical, electrical or quality engineering technology are in high demand by both new and established manufacturers across Ohio,” said Karl Hess, Sinclair’s dean of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Engineering technician roles are among the most in-demand occupations in Ohio, according to the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation. With more manufacturers bringing operations to the Dayton area, ensuring there is enough regional workforce to support companies is key.

“Manufacturing is one of the most significant contributors to the economic vitality of the Dayton region,” said Angelia Erbaugh, president of the Dayton Region Manufacturers Association. “A driving force is the availability of a skilled and trained job-ready workforce. We are excited that two of the region’s leading higher education institutions have joined forces to elevate, evolve and ready our future workforce for the increasing demand.”

Wright State and Sinclair’s long-standing partnership has established transfer pathways for more than 70 bachelor’s degrees in a wide array of academic disciplines, including this program.

Partnerships like these improve students’ ability to pursue careers or further their education within the region. Research from the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research indicates that approximately half of college graduates work in the same metropolitan area as their college, and two-thirds stay in the same state. Students become more readily enter the local workforce upon graduation, provided the regional economy can support them.

“Many students come to Sinclair aiming to prepare for a high-demand career that makes them job-ready as quickly as possible, with no initial plans to pursue anything beyond an associate’s degree,” Hess said. “However, after experiencing success in our programs, their confidence grows – and so do their aspirations. At Sinclair, our motto is ‘Find the need, and endeavor to meet it,’ and we take great pride in partnering with institutions like Wright State, who share our commitment to supporting student success.”

Read the complete article at bizjournals.com/dayton.