"United Technologies Center (UTC) leads the way in providing vital vocational education for residents of the greater Bangor Area that is tailored to fit the needs of the Bangor region's economy. I am an ardent supporter of this program because it offers the promise of a wide range of good jobs in the field of photonics, which has been called ‘the technology of the 21st century.'" Photonics concerns the generation, manipulation, transport, detection, and use of light energy through its quantum unit, the photon. Photons transport light energy and carry information through fiber optic cable and can retrieve information in laser, radar, and other sensor devices. Common applications of photonics include bar scanners at the grocery store, laser eye surgery, compact disk players, and the thermal imaging cameras which are so helpful to our fire departments. Other applications play a critical role in manufacturing, health care, sensing devices, telecommunications, and defense operations.
UTC's pilot program will introduce a photonics curriculum in the regional technical high school. Through the program, UTC will work closely with local businesses, tailoring the curriculum to ensure that it provides a technical education that will serve as the foundation for future career development. Local businesses will assist with the program's rigorous evaluation component as well. UTC will communicate its regional efforts to the global business community to attract additional photonics employers to the area.