Rural Information Technology Alliance –

Creating the Skills for Economic

Development

Michael J. Olesen

November 19, 2014

Brainerd & Staples

Gainesville, TXPine City Lead Institution

Willmar & Hutchinson

The Partners

The Why: Market Demands

Identified by Local Industry

• VoIP• Video Skills • Vendor Certifications• Security (and this was BT – before Target)

• Data Management• Networking and Interoperability• Virtualization Administration• Modeling Skills• Adaptability – the employee not the technology

The Economic Development

Landscape• Communities with connectivity

• Rural Broadband Initiatives• Locations on major interstates

• Quality of life• Companies looking to relocate• Demand in IT, Healthcare, Finance• Deficit of IT workers• IT wages higher on average, but lower than urban

areas

The Demand for the SkillsEmployment Projections 2010-2020 Central Minnesota North Texas Industry/Occupations % Change 2010 - 2020 Total, All Industries 18.30% 22% Computer & Information Systems Managers 18.50% 22% Management Analysts 17.60% 32% Computer Systems Analysts 13.90% 61% Computer Programmers 17.60% 41% Software Developers, Applications 17.00% 25% Software Developers, Systems Software 46.20% 32% Network & Computer Systems Administrators 24.20% 31% Info Security Analysts, Web Developers 18.20% 29%

Sources: QCEW Employees & Non-QCEW Employees - EMSI 2013.2 Class of Worker and DEED

Market Demand

A personal perspective

Department of Labor Funded

• Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College Career Training (TAACCCT) grant – Round 3

• Program focuses on:• Workers Displaced or could be displaced by

foreign trade• But can serve others as well

• 18 million, four year, award• Awarded October 1, 2013• One of fifty-seven awards totaling $474.5 million

The RITA vision

Meet the evolving information technology needs of rural communities by offering educational programs to students in high-demand information technology areas through innovative and sustainable partnerships among participating community colleges with industry and other stakeholders.

The RITA missionThe Rural Information Technology Alliance advances workforce development in rural communities by preparing students for in-demand information technology opportunities in IT networking, mobile applications, databases, computing technology, and cybersecurity. It will:

• Develop innovative information technology curriculum that incorporates a variety of novel instructional delivery approaches and that builds on the strengths of all educational partners

• Provide practical, relevant courses and experiences that prepare students for real-world challenges

• Provide exceptional support for students throughout the program and including integrated student services

• Foster continuous dialogue among all stakeholders with the aim of strengthening educational offerings

Programmatic Focus• Application Development

• Mobile Apps (Android and Apple) • Database Management• Application Security• Web Development

• Networking / Cybersecurity• Microsoft Certification• Cisco Certification• Includes VoIP

• Computing Technology and Support

Ambitious Goals

• 1,100 participants served• 630 completers• 415 earned credentials• 620 employed • 430 with

increased wages

The Hardware to Make it Happen• Cisco Networking Equipment• Workstation upgrades• Android and Apple Devices• Virtual server and vmWare

Novel Approaches to Teaching,

Learning, Recruitment and

Retention Shared, coordinated, and integrated curriculum

Contextualized learning

Hybrid and enhanced interactive online learning

Virtualized teaching of technology skills

Wrap-around student services

Engage and leverage workforce centers

Stacked and latticed credentials

Coordinated Communications Plan

Articulation agreements

What $18 million over 4 years buys• Really three years – need to be up and running by Fall 2016• Hardware and Software• Certification Programs• Curriculum development i.e. faculty time• Student recruitment, retention and placement • Industry, community, and other stakeholder outreach• Faculty training• Data collection assessment and evaluation• Programmatic guidance and administration

RitaConsortium.org

Michael OlesenDirectorRural Information Technology Alliance (RITA)olesenm@pine.eduolesen@ritaconsortium.org320-629-5191 (office)651-274-9982 (cell)

Thank You