The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced the award of a prestigious $2.9 million grant to Indian River State College to establish a highly sophisticated Lasers and Fiber Optics Regional Center. This will help fill the need for skilled laser and fiber optics (LFO) technicians for jobs including medical equipment operation, internet and telephone processing systems and industrial applications.

The program is a gateway to high wage employment after two years of technical training. It is in partnership with a network of ten colleges and more than 253 companies, IRSC will lead the regional initiative to develop and deliver training in lasers and fiber optics throughout the Southeast. Workforce projections identify a national need for over 1500 of these specialized technicians and the present output from U.S. colleges is about 350 per year.

Dr. Chrys Panayiotou, an IRSC Professor of Electrical Engineering and program graduates  is the Principal Investigator for the Lasers and Fiber Optics Center.  “This training opens doors in new high-tech manufacturing, providing the skills needed for advancement in the 21^stCentury, much as traditional manufacturing expertise was a valuable asset in the past. Knowledge of lasers and fiber optics will provide unprecedented opportunities as these technologies expand, support development of new products and companies and a strong economy.”

For more information, contact Dr. Chrys Panayiotou at cpanayio@irsc.edu. People can also call the IRSC Center toll-free at 1-866-792-4772.