Welcome to Pathways to Innovation
Project Overview
The Building Pathways To Innovation (PTI) Through Strategic Employer Engagement (DUE 2039395) project builds on the ATE-supported Business & Industry Leadership Team (BILT) model, a proven method for strategic employer engagement developed by the National Convergence Technology Center. Colleges involved in PTI will develop employer partnerships that yield workforce intelligence that facilitates continuous program improvement and innovation.
What’s So Unique About the BILT?
The frequency, specificity, and depth of business input, coupled with an industry-led governance structure, sets the BILT model apart. BILTs embrace the notion that employer engagement is not an event, but a process built on trusted relationships between colleges and companies. BILTs leverage the sector knowledge of employers and teaching expertise of faculty to foster powerful collaborations that ensure program curriculum meets the needs of business and students are workforce ready.
Through cohort-focused technical assistance leveraging ATE’s capacity-building resources and the BILT model, PTI will foster a culture of innovation co-led by employers and college faculty through three complementary initiatives: BILT Academy, Grant-Seeker Academy, and ATE Answers platform.
Resources for Everyone
In addition to providing technical assistance, PTI is developing a body of training materials and a curated resource collection to support technical program innovation through strategic employer engagement. This on-demand content will be available to colleges across the ATE community.
BILT Academy

The BILT Academy will coach teams (employer + faculty) from community college STEM programs to effectively keep pace with shifting workforce demands and evolving technologies to prepare the nation’s skilled technical workforce.
Grant-Seeker Academy

The Grant-Seeker Academy will mentor grant-seeking college teams to use BILT’s essential elements as a foundation upon which to build competitive proposals for implementing innovative ATE programs responsive to employer needs.

ATE Answers

Through coordination efforts with ATE National Centers, PTI will assist new grantees with strategic employer engagement and effective grant implementation / management through on-demand resources and an Ask-an-ATE Expert platform.
Overview Video

Learn About the BILT Model
The BILT Model: Six Ways to Engage Employers and Give Students the Skills They Need to Get Hired

BILT Academy Cohort 1 Application
Contact Us
Hope Cotner: hcotner@cord.org
Ann Beheler: abeheler@gmail.com