Member News

The Optical Systems Technology program at Monroe Community College has developed an Optical Fabrication Essentials micro-credential.

The Optical Fabrication Essentials micro-credential provides a fast track for individuals wanting to enter into the optics manufacturing industry or advance in their present position.

The courses required for this micro-credential are part of the Optical Systems Technology AAS degree. Each 4-credit, 90-hour course will be conducted over 4 ½ weeks, 4 days per week, 5 hours per day, beginning September 7 and ending on December 12, 2022. They can complete the three courses in one semester.

Click here for the program flyer!

The Optical Systems Technology program at Monroe Community College will be conducting two Optics Workshops this summer:

• Diamond Turning Workshop, June 21–July 7, 8:00 AM–12:30 PM
• Magnetorheological Finishing (MRF) Workshop, June 21–July 7, 1:30 PM–6:00 PM

Each 40-hour workshop will be conducted over 3 weeks, 3 days per week, 4.5 hours per day, beginning June 21, 2022.

Diamond Turning
• Mornings 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM EDT
• Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
• June 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, July 5, 6, 7, 2022

Magnetorheological Finishing (MRF)
• Afternoons 1:30 to 6:00 PM EDT
• Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
• June 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, July 5, 6, 7, 2022

See the flyers linked above for Program Highlights and Prerequisites, along with links to the Online Application Forms. The forms are course-specific. These hands-on workshops will be limited to 10 participants per workshop.

The cost will be $1,260 per participant. Funding opportunities are available for qualified participants.

Please email Ross Micali, National Work Based Learning Coordinator, MCC Optical Systems Technology, at rmicali@monroecc.edu if you have any questions.

Registration is now open for the November 2022 Colorado Tech Workshop!

Please click HERE for full details.

We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming SPIE DCS (Defense + Commercial Sensing) conference in Orlando, FL in April!  APOMA’s General Meeting will be held on Wed. April 6th, from 8:30AM-9:30AM at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in the St. George 108 Room, Atrium level.

WORKFORCE CHALLENGES & LIGHTING A PATH TO SUCCESS

Virtual event – Registration required!  Click the link above for full event details.

The Congressional Optics & Photonics (O&P) Caucus will hold its first policy discussion next week on October 27, 2021 at 12Noon (Eastern) to discuss workforce development challenges in our industry.

APOMA members, both large and small, have dealt with hiring shortages for skilled technicians for years and this challenge has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing workforce shortages in our rapidly growing industry is critical to maintaining US leadership in this innovative, global market.