Examines the role of community colleges in expanding the supply of information technology (IT) workers. Drawing on both quantitative and qualitative methods, the authors find contrasting evidence on the importance of these institutions. Analysis of the 1994 and 1999 Current Population Survey and interviews with large IT employers indicate that…

Argues that, despite doubts created by the "dot-com" crash, the field of information technology (IT) is still crucial. Credentialing and certification are in demand by adults in the transitional workforce who require tangible results in a short time frame. Suggests that even non-IT companies are dependent on those in IT to run the nerve-centers of…

Offers a comprehensive view of the information technology (IT) workforce in the U.S., based on a report by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA). The report quantifies the size and scope of the IT workforce, its geographical distribution, skills preferences, future demand, and predicted shortfalls. (AUTH/NB)

The issue of credentialing and certification has become a major topic of discussion in America's community colleges. At the heart of this issue is the movement of private sector companies into areas previously viewed as the province of higher education: education and training, assessment of competencies, and the awarding of credentials that carry…

Discusses the Working Connections Program, a program funded by Microsoft Corporation and administered by American Association of Community Colleges. Describes the program as being created to assist community colleges in the development and implementation of information technology (IT) programs that are designed to train skilled IT workers. (NB)

Working Connections is a program resulting from a partnership between the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and the Microsoft Corporation. The program was designed to help increase the number of skilled information technology (IT) workers by providing focused training in IT careers. Since 1998, AACC and Microsoft have awarded cash…

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) clearly identifies community colleges as integral players in creating a high quality workforce. With multiple funding streams, greater local control over system design, and a mandate for universal access, community colleges must be able to address the client tracking and data management challenges that…

This book provides new insights and innovative ideas that may aid governments and educational institutions in developing programs and policy frameworks for their education and training enterprises. It consists of an opening synthesis, followed by papers presented at the December 1998 "learning.now/Skills for an Information Economy" symposium. Part…

The Software Human Resource Council (SHRC) is a nonprofit sectoral council that speaks for software professionals throughout the Canadian economy. The SHRC's mission is to increase the number of Information Technology (IT) workers in Canada. This paper gives a brief overview of the evolution of SHRC's Information Technology Professional Program…

Ben Hill-Irwin Technical Institute and the Georgia Interconnect Association designed and developed jointly a project to provide basic knowledge and practical application skills training. The curriculum included all necessary competencies for a student to graduate as a communications network technician. To compensate for the added expense of…

Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC), the third largest community college in the nation, is tackling the area's need for skilled workers. The number of jobs available in the northern Virginia region increased 103% in the last year. But there are substantial numbers of students at NVCC who are lacking the skills necessary to obtain employment…

In response to unprecedented reductions in budget and personnel and changes in technology, Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) developed this agenda for change to update its strategic plan to position the college for the 21st century. First, an overview is provided of PVCC's restructuring effort, highlighting causes and four planning…

This congressional report contains testimony examining the status of vocational assistance and its role in work force development and the Clinton Administration's views on reforming the federal investment in vocational education. Testimony was provided by two U.S. senators (James M. Jeffords, Vermont; Edward M. Kennedy, Massachusetts) and…

The Digital Economic Opportunity Committee (DEOC) was created by the National Policy Association (NPA) in 2001 to confront the critical national shortage of workers with the information technology (IT) skills needed for the information age economy. The committee oversaw an 18-month workforce development research project titled Crossing the Digital…

Advances in information technology (IT) are reshaping the U.S. labor market. The demand for workers who can read and understand complex material, think analytically, and use technology efficiently will continue to increase. Congress established the 21st Century Workforce Commission to assess current and future demand for IT workers and the…