Engineering Workforce Development
EARTH EWD
EARTH’s Engineering Workforce Development (EWD) programs connect research, education, and industry to prepare the workforce needed to design, deploy, and sustain next-generation HVACR and refrigerant technologies.
EARTH takes a full workforce ecosystem approach—supporting pathways from early STEM awareness through graduate education and professional workforce advancement. Through partnerships with industry, academic institutions, and community organizations, EARTH prepares engineers, scientists, and technicians to meet emerging technology and workforce needs.
Because EARTH is an Engineering Research Center, workforce programs are directly informed by active research and industry collaboration, ensuring education and training evolve alongside new technologies.
EARTH's Approach
EWD activities are built around the need to:
- Create & provide engineers, scientists & technicians with education & training to address innovation & skill gaps
- Provide undergrad researchers, grad students, and postdoc fellows access to industry & government labs through government projects
- Increase awareness & interest in STEM and HVACR careers at all ed levels & enhance access to financially rewarding job opportunities
| Stage | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-college Teacher Network | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Summer Venture | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stage | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technical School training modules | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| RET program | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stage | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curriculum dev. / dissemination | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Internships / Capstones | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| REU program | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Engineering / MBA bridge program | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Technician to Engineer pathway | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stage | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postdoctoral Training | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Interdisciplinary PhD Program U. Hawai'i | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stage | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuing Education modules | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Open access training materials | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |