Engineering Workforce Development

The primary goal of EWD is to equip a workforce comprised of informed, diverse workers for the growing NR economy, fostered through the creation of the American Natural Rubber Academy (ANRA). The ANRA will educate as well as train the current and future US workforce at all levels including K-12 students, teachers, farmers/manufacturers, undergraduate and graduate students, and post-doctoral researchers. Through ANRA, an emerging workforce will acquire skills needed, embedded in fundamental knowledge. ANRA Director Gregory McKenna coordinates the program initially and will serve as an advisor to the full-time EWD/ANRA director once hired. New minors, graduate courses, certificates, and possibly degrees, will be developed for the growing NR industry to produce scientists, engineers, biological and agricultural specialists, and other experts.