Most of the University of Hawaii system including the University of Hawaii at Hilo are underrepresented institutions. We endeavor to create employment opportunities for underrepresented students for a variety of reasons including the fact that Hawaii students tend to remain employed at a much high retention rate in local companies than hires from outside the State. Our retention strategy begins at the base of the HiSTEM pipeline where we work with a number of high percentage underrepresented elementary and secondary schools. We then encourage these students to continue their participation in HiSTEM programs and further lead them to an opportunity in our workforce development program.

Our first Workforce Development program called for the creation of a Masters Apprenticeship Program to establish a collaboration between local business personnel and UH faculty to collaborate on mentoring Masters degree candidates. The student would work on an aspect of a company project for their degree. We have received assurances from the Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory and other local companies statewide that are interested in participating in the project by contributing part of the stipend for the graduate student during the program.

The purpose of the award is to train a new workforce at a Masters level of proficiency. According to the HSTC-industry partnership, the Apprentice will spend 2/3 of the first year attending classes at UH while working 1/3 of the time at the company. The Apprentice will be expected to work closely with Hawaii high-tech companies participating in the project. The subject of their Masters research thesis will be a problem related to a company project. In the second year, the proportions are switched with the student completing coursework during 1/3 of the time and working on a Masters project 2/3 of the time. Upon graduation, the Apprentice will be expected to move into a technical position with the company and thus be eligible to move into a permanent position with the company to help satisfy that companys workforce need.

Evaluation of progress will take place by a joint UH faculty/industry thesis committee that will closely track student progress. In addition, the student will be expected to maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA to remain in the program.

Financial support includes a stipend to support the Apprentices graduate degree program for two years towards the completion of their Masters degree program. Women, under-represented minorities (specifically native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, African Americans, and Hispanics), and physically challenged students who have interest in space-related fields are particularly encouraged to apply.