ISA Brings Together the Next Generation at Automation Career Connection During ISA EXPO

Posted by The Webmaster on August 11, 2009 under ISA News | Be the First to Comment

The International Society of Automation (ISA) announced today its Automation Career Connection activities as part of ISA EXPO, an Automation Week event, 6–8 October 2009 at the Reliant Center in Houston, Texas. Automation Career Connection is designed to help introduce middle and high school students, college students, and young automation professionals to careers in automation.

Three events make up Automation Career Connection: iAU2M8.09, YAPFEST, and the pilot Undergraduate Student Research Conference. Each event includes unique, educational activities designed for each age group.

The second annual iAU2M8.09 is designed for middle and high school students in the Houston, Texas area. This event will bring nearly 600 students and their teachers together for tours of the ISA EXPO show floor; educational demonstrations related to automation; and a keynote presentation delivered by Joel Leonard, executive producer and host, SkillTV. iAU2M8.09 will take place on Thursday, 8 October 2009.

The fourth annual YAPFEST is a social networking party for ISA EXPO attendees ages 18-30 who want to learn about careers in automation. “YAPFEST is a key opportunity for young people to mingle with leaders in automation, peers, and Members of the Society for automation professionals, ISA,” said Bernard Penney, director, marketing and communications, ISA. “Events like YAPFEST offer attendees an economical opportunity to make potential career connections and build a professional network in one location,” Penney added. YAPFEST is scheduled for Tuesday, 6 October 2009.

The first ever Undergraduate Student Research Conference (ISA – USRC) is being offered as a pilot project under the ISA Professional Development Department (PDD). The PDD invited a small number of schools to participate in this information exchange and the following will be represented in Houston, Texas for this first ISA – USRC:

• Instituto Tecnologico Superior de Tantoyuca, Veracruz, Mexico
• Lee College, Baytown, Texas
• St. Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation, St. Petersburg, Russia

The ISA – USRC will take place on Tuesday, 6 October 2009 and all ISA EXPO attendees are invited to observe.

“Automation Career Connection will provide students with a platform to share their fundamental knowledge and help them make connections in industry,” said Dale Lee, director, convention, education, and certification, ISA. “It will also help generate buzz with the next generation about what automation professionals actually do and why their jobs are important,” Lee continued.

For more information about Automation Career Connection events, including sponsorship opportunities, visit www.isa.org/connect.

Authoritative Recognition for the Automation Profession by the U.S. Government

Posted by The Webmaster on August 4, 2009 under Automation Federation News, ISA News | Comments are off for this article

The Automation Federation reports that the automation profession has been recognized by two groups within the United States government.

The first occurred on 30 June 2009 when the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations included language in their 2010 Congressional budget report that recognizes the importance of automation for the future of manufacturing in the United States. The language directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Manufacturing Extension Program (MEP) to consider the importance that automation plays in accelerating and integrating manufacturing processes. The language also encourages NIST and MEP to consult and collaborate with independent experts in the field of automation.

On 30 June 2009, Senator Barbara Mikulski, from the Committee on Appropriations, submitted report language (including the excerpt shown below) to accompany H. R. 2847 (Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010). Already, H. R. 2847 has passed the House. View the full report.

“Supporting the Nation’s manufacturers, especially small businesses, is critical to keeping America innovative in a global marketplace. ITS [Industrial Technology Services] provides a bridge for advancing cutting-edge technologies with cost-saving measures. The Committee is encouraged by the administration’s healthy request for ITS, which shows a genuine intention to partner with industry for the benefit of the Nation’s future. The Committee supports NIST’s requested allocation of funding for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Program [MEP] and the Technology Innovation Program.

Within MEP, NIST, and its partners are directed to consider the importance automation plays in accelerating and integrating manufacturing processes. The topic of automation cuts across all levels of industry, rather than serving as a stand-alone technology, and particularly affects the fields of control systems cyber security, industrial wireless sensors, systems interoperability, and other basic automation technologies necessary for the success of industrial enterprises. NIST is encouraged to consult and collaborate with independent experts in the field of automation to support the agency’s efforts in working with industry to increase innovation, trade, security, and jobs.”

The Automation Federation is poised to provide the encouraged expert collaboration through their ongoing communications and relationships with NIST and MEP.

Mike Marlowe, director of government relations for the Automation Federation, said, “We look forward to seeing this language become part of an official bill, and encourage the Members of Congress to contact us to learn more about automation, automation professionals, and the importance they play in the future viability of U.S. manufacturing.”

Read the rest of the article at the national ISA website, ISA.org.