THE ADEQUACY OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS IN TRAINING TECHNICIANS FOR COMPUTERIZED MACHINE DESIGN INDUSTRY

The Problem. The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent of training programs in community colleges for preparing technicians for work in the computerized machinery industry where automated machines are produced and projections of future needs for more trained technicians in related industry are made.; Method. A descriptive study was conducted with three groups who were the subjects of this study. The first group included seventy-five instructors of computer technology, and the second group included seventy-five students majoring in industrial training in computer technology. The third group included twelve local computer used machine design industry supervisors to evaluate the Associate of Arts degree technicians' performance in computer used machine design jobs after employment in their companies.; Results. The premise of this study which predicted a relationship between the community college computer design technology program and the level of preparation of associate degree technicians for employment in computer used machine design industry was rejected by twenty-two instructors, twenty students, and six supervisors from the three survey groups. The prediction of the study in relation to the level of preparation of AA technicians in computer design technology and the future promotional opportunities after related technical employment was supported by eleven supervisors if in-shop training was imposed to these technicians.; Results supported the premise that the present available computer design technology in the community colleges should have an immediate improvement and implementation to train technicians more efficiently to fulfill the needs of computer used machine design industry.