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In what ways could collaborate to help career changers and dislocated workers transition to IT-related careers? (Please include WHO should be involved and WHAT would be done in as much specificity as possible.)

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750 Char Author: Guest747751

Group's Top 5 Ideas

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1	Employers, education & the Center could create a "See what IT is all about" to give an overview of the wide range IT jobs, earning possibilities, real job opportunities, and the variety of people in IT (brochure, video, CD). Create a marketing campaign using "See what IT is all about" to change the perception & awareness of the general public to get the word out that IT is for everyone - break the propeller-head stereotypes and create awareness that there ARE jobs available. IT is here to stay. Market through as many avenues as possible - posters, television or radio ads, billboards, youtube, videos, podcasts, blogs -lots of online/internet promotion for younger population. Posted by Kate Southwick June 26, 2008, 1:38 PM comments (0)	12 ratings 4.33 average
2	Employers, workforce centers and the Center could Create a list of "roles" used in IT jobs, and then list tasks and skill sets needed for those roles. (ie. ROLE: Project Manager SKILLS: detail oriented, good communicator, organized, etc) This list can help employers and job seekers identify what transferrable skill sets they have or what skills they need that match specific IT roles & jobs. Posted by Kate Southwick June 26, 2008, 12:50 PM comments (1)	9 ratings 4.11 average
3	Education and workforce centers could work together to create more flexible IT programs and degrees to better accommodate the needs of transitioning workers and help them move into the IT field quicker and more directly. Education can create degree programs and certificates that take into consideration the experience of career changers & dislocated workers - shortening the time to completion, giving academic credit for work & life experience, being able to test out or waive classes, multiple start dates. Create a list of what programs and institutions already exist that have flexible accommodations like this. Make this information available to job transitioners & workforce centers. Posted by Kate Southwick June 26, 2008, 1:52 PM comments (1)	12 ratings 4.08 average
4	Education, employers, workforce centers & the Center could create or find skill assessments specific to IT job seekers to learn what aptitudes and skills the transitioning individual already has that they can transfer to an IT job. Posted by Kate Southwick June 26, 2008, 1:05 PM comments (0)	9 ratings 4 average
5	Schools, businesses and the Center can set up a Mentoring program. Mentoring could be done one-on-one or in groups. Create a model and document how to set up a mentor program. Ideas on how to teach people how to be mentors: Create an online learning tool for how to mentor. Create a mentor forum for discussion & sharing. Posted by Kate Southwick June 26, 2008, 12:43 PM comments (0)	14 ratings 3.93 average

The Rest of the Ideas

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Employers could collaborate to create a comprehensive list of all IT jobs and the interpersonal, business and technical skills needed, including required or helpful certifications.This needs to be distributed to all career counselors in education, workforce centers, corporations & private consulting practices.
Posted by Kate Southwick June 26, 2008, 1:13 PM comments (0)

9 ratings

Create an apprentice-journey person model, as used in the trades, to gain experience in the IT field.
Posted by Kate Southwick June 30, 2008, 1:39 PM comments (0)

8 ratings

Employers create job shadowing opportunities in IT for career changers/dislocated workers.
Posted by Kate Southwick June 30, 2008, 1:29 PM comments (1)

8 ratings

Higher education, employers and workforce agencies could collaborate to define more specific entry-level pathways into IT careers, and then align educational programs, work-experience opportunities, and post-completion placement assistance to make this transition more structured, predictable and attractive to individuals who have the apptitude and potential to succeed. Right now, success in this transition depends as much upon chance as on doing the right things.
Posted by BLindberg June 17, 2008, 9:48 AM comments (0)

9 ratings

Business & education could work together to find ways to couple entry level job types to make a workday varied and more interesting.
Posted by Sharon June 19, 2008, 6:54 AM comments (0)

8 ratings

More online learning offered. More online IT courses & degrees available - to offer flexibility for career transitioners.
Posted by Kate Southwick June 30, 2008, 1:45 PM comments (0)

6 ratings

Create a list of agencies that have an IT talent pool and give employers access to this list.
Posted by Kate Southwick June 30, 2008, 1:33 PM comments (0)

5 ratings

Help transitional workers to understand how to do informational interviewing and connect them to IT professionals.
Posted by Kate Southwick June 30, 2008, 1:31 PM comments (0)

6 ratings

Educate the transitioning employee on what is involved in a successful transition into the IT field. They need to have clear expectations of what type of education & skills they need, and how much time and money it will take.
Posted by Kate Southwick June 30, 2008, 1:39 PM comments (0)

5 ratings

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