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The 2006 CITE IT Futures Education Summit – June 2, 2006 – Microsoft Conference Center

NWCET Working Connections – August 21-25, 2006 – Bellevue Community College Campus

In an age of outsourcing, downsizing, rightsizing, and consolidation, what is the future for IT Jobs in the workforce? Jerry Bunce, IT Education Relations from the Boeing Company enlightened and encouraged young IT career-seekers at the CITE sponsored event, “The Future of the IT Workforce: Where Will the Jobs Be?” at the BCC campus last November. Jerry provided insights to this question and more as he described why the IT jobs of the future will change and how students can prepare now to be ready for this new demand. In addition, he addressed about the importance of lifelong learning for IT professionals and aspiring technologists.

The session included an IT Workforce Futures Employer Panel featuring representatives and hiring specialists from local companies who provided their perspective on the changing business needs and IT landscape in 2005. Panelists also addressed the current skills needs for their organizations as well as fielded questions from the audience. A representative from Eastern Washington University presented the Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) transfer program available on the BCC campus for those interested in obtaining a Bachelors degree in technology.

CITE in partnership with BCC’s Business Division and Continuing Education co-sponsored this event last week at the BCC campus. The event was free event for students, faculty, career counselors, etc. at the BCC campus last week.

If you are interested in hosting this event at your campus, email Kelley Beverly or call her at 425-
564-4230.

The 2006 South Sound Tech Competition will be held at Tacoma Community College on Saturday, March 18, from 8:00AM to 2:00PM. 

This competition is designed to promote the creative and rigorous study and practice of information technology, and to encourage South Sound area students to consider careers in the high tech sphere.  During the competition, high school and college students problem solve in scenarios modeled after situations they might encounter working in the IT field.  Volunteers from IT companies judge the competition and are actively involved in creating the scenarios and interacting with the students.  Students have the opportunity to meet employers and learn more about working in the exciting and demanding world of information technology.

• Keynote address by an executive in the IT field

• Sponsor and vendor fair—participants can learn more about IT companies and about future employment possibilities.

• College fair—representatives from local colleges will be on hand with information about educational opportunities.

• Snacks, drinks and pizza lunch

Prizes and Give-Aways: All participants will receive a certificate for their portfolios, as well as T-shirts and other give-aways.  Winners will receive valuable prizes:  in 2005 prizes included laptop and desk top computers, wireless routers, computer games, and gift certificates.  

Registration: There is a $15 registration fee, and the registration deadline is March 3, 2005.  For more information about how to register, contact Linda Drake, PC3, 253-984-6006, ldrake@pc3connect.org.

What does 2006 have in store for the IT world? Our research reveals several important trends in technology and IT skills.

Technology Skills and Career Predictions for 2006:

• What Tech Skills Are Hot for 2006?
• Windows, Cisco networking top IT skills for 2006  
• Hot IT Jobs and Skills for 2006
• Gartner Predicts End of I.T. Specialists
• New Research Reveals Tech Skills Pay Up 9.9% for the Year – 17.6% for Applications Development – As employers seek to retain their top talent with competitive pay strategies
• Annual Salary Survey Predicts Gains in I.T. Pay

Technology Predictions for 2006:

• Computerworld’s10 predictions for 2006
• Dennis Kennedy's Legal Technology Predictions for 2006: Small Steps for Most Firms, Giant Leaps for a Few Firms
• Software Marketing Resource: Technology Predictions for 2006 and Reflections on 2005
• Monsters & Critics: Technology predictions for 2006
• PC Magazine’s: Industry Expert's Predictions for 2006
• Gartner Consulting's Worldwide IT Benchmark Group Says Majority of Industries Will Cautiously Increase Worldwide IT Spending in 2006
• Ray Kurzweil: IT Will Be Everything
• Top 10 tech trends for 2006
• Forecast 2006: VoIP
• VoIP Predictions 2006
• My Ten "Converging World" Predictions for 2006 by Russell Shaw
• Thinking About 2006 by Irwin Lazar
• One Prediction for 2006: Applications
• CEO Makes VOIP Predictions
• Forecast 2006: Wireless
• inCode Reveals Top 10 Global Wireless Predictions for 2006
• Predictions for 2006

To advance the progress of the Working Connections Program throughout the state, NWCET has created the Ambassador Program. Each community and technical college can elect one Ambassador to represent their campus to act as the conduit or, “good will ambassador” to enhance communications between the Working Connections Institute and their college’s faculty. Ambassadors that meet the goals of the program are eligible for discounted fees and first choice track enrollments for next year’s institute. We look forward to a productive outreach through the new Ambassadors.

Could your institution utilize funding support for Professional Development activities at your campus? NWCET is offering mini-grants to assist the Ambassadors conduct on-site training specific to their faculty needs. This initiative is one of several goals of the new Ambassador program.

NWCET looks forward to hosting the Working Connections Institute again in August 2006 with more IT and IT-related tracks. For further information about the Ambassador program, please email Maureen Majury, Senior Program Manager or call her at 425-564-4229.

Are your IT programs experiencing a continued decline in enrollment? To be successful, an institution should offer programs with the proper mix of IT courses to be responsive to their students and their local job market. CITE offers services that will assist you to:

“The experience was wonderful.  I got to see how the theory I teach is applied and used in daily job functions and can take that to add relevance and real-world applicability to my instructional delivery.“ This quote is from an instructor who completed a rewarding Job Shadow assignment last summer. If you are interested in a Job Shadow assignment, visit the CITE web site for application information beginning in February. For further information, email Kelley Beverly or call her at 425-564-4230.

“Great way to become acquainted with employers for your students, to learn their hiring requirements, to develop internships and to expand your own knowledge and skills.”

Keep up to date with future events geared for students, faculty and staff. Check our web site for updates. If you know of an event that may be of interest please email CITE with the details.

At CITE, our mission is to be a resource arm to the Community and Technical Colleges and high schools of Washington State. Let us hear from you to discuss your needs and how we can be of service to you. Email CITE or call Kelley Beverly at 425-564-4230.