Penn State launches workforce program

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The Penn State College of Engineering and the Penn State University Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) recently launched a workforce development program designed to prepare students for jobs as civilian engineers and scientists with the U.S. Navy.

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) awarded the university a five-year, $15.5 million grant to launch the Penn State Intern Pipeline Links to Navy Engineering (PIPELINE) program.

“Meeting the demands for a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) work force is critical for preserving our national security,” Allan Sonsteby, ARL executive director, said. “Maintaining a competitive advantage over our adversaries requires a STEM skilled workforce capable of developing leading-edge technologies. We are extremely proud to partner with ONR and the College of Engineering to support work force development of the next generation of engineers and scientists.”

PIPELINE will support up to 20 undergraduate engineering students and 10 graduate students annually beginning this autumn. The students will be in Research Experience for Undergraduate programs and in faculty labs.

The university expects five to 10 undergraduates and two to three graduate students will matriculate into Navy engineering careers by the third year of the program and each year thereafter.

The Department of Defense is the largest federal employer, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, employing approximately 770,000 civilians.