|
|
|
About LASER-TEC
Southeast Regional Center for Laser and Fiber Optics Education, LASER-TEC, founded by the National Science Foundation in 2013, is an association of community and state colleges, universities, high schools and technical centers, trade associations, and laser and fiber optic (LFO) companies.
Our Mission: Develop a sustainable pipeline of qualified laser and fiber optic technicians to meet industry needs in the Southeastern United States. Our Goals:
The United States is the world’s leader in design, manufacturing, and export of complex laser-enabled equipment used in manufacturing, medicine, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, health care, and other fields. The advancement of this technology is fueled by close and ongoing collaboration among colleges, universities, and the industry. According to a National Academy of Sciences report, “Optics and Photonics: Essential Technologies for Our Nation,” 4.9 billion dollars’ worth of laser sales generated 7.5 trillion dollars of the U.S. gross domestic product in 2009 and 2010. Jobs supporting this type of national technological advancement should not be internationally outsourced. It is vital that academic institutions, together with industry, foster the development of a highly-qualified workforce. Technicians with training in lasers and fiber optics are in great demand across the United States. Specifically, the demand for laser and fiber optics technicians is 300% greater than the current graduation output of colleges in the Southeastern region. With higher-than-average starting salaries, ranging from $40,000 to $55,000, LFO technician jobs offer dynamic environments, technological challenges, and exciting work. LASER-TEC invites academic and industry partners to join with us to help meet the demand for a trained laser and fiber optics workforce across the Southeastern United States. Our partners: Principal Members
Principal Members have established laser and fiber optics academic programs that successfully meet the demands for qualified LFO technicians in their local areas. The LASER-TEC assists colleges and high schools interested in starting an LFO program by providing curriculum materials and other resources, faculty training, startup funds, and best practices. To learn more about our partners or to become LASER-TEC partner click here. Our Industry Network: Our industry network is led by the Florida Photonics Cluster representing 42 laser companies and 3 research universities in Florida. The Board will expand and include all 425 laser and fiber optics companies across the entire Southeast region with emphasis on the North Carolina Research Triangle, and the Atlanta, Georgia, area. To learn more about LASER-TEC industry network click here. To read our project summary click here. To download the LASER-TEC informational flyer click here. |
Dr. Chrys Panayiotou
Principal Investigator Indian River State College 3209 Virginia Avenue Fort Pierce, FL 34981 772-462-7621 cpanayio@irsc.edu 
Gary Beasley
Co-Principal Investigator Central Carolina Community College 1075 E. Cornelius Harnett Blvd Lillington, NC 27546 910-814-8828 gbeasley@cccc.edu 
Dr. James Pearson
Co-Principal Investigator CREOL, College of Optics & Photonics University of Central Florida P.O. Box 162700 Orlando, FL 32816 407-823-6858 jpearson@creol.ucf.edu
Natalia Chekhovskaya Kearney
Program Manager Indian River State College 3209 Virginia Avenue Fort Pierce, FL 34981 772-462-7295 nchekhov@irsc.edu 
Lauren Hays
Program Coordinator Indian River State College 3209 Virginia Avenue Fort Pierce, FL 34981 772-462-7179 lhays@irsc.edu 
Will Keiser
Photonics Technologist Indian River State College 3209 Virginia Avenue Fort Pierce, FL 34981 772-462-7066 wkeiser@irsc.edu |
