Technology Workforce Development

Project: An Information Technology Workforce Strategy for the State of Connecticut

Client: Connecticut Governor’s Office of Workforce Competitiveness

Battelle prepared a comprehensive information technology workforce strategy for the Connecticut Governor’s Office of Workforce Competitiveness, which was approved by the Connecticut Employment & Training Commission and enacted in legislation by the General Assembly. Key elements of the strategy include the establishment of a Digital Compact and Digital Strategic Fund to enable Connecticut to be proactive and timely in approaching IT workforce development needs. The strategy broke new ground in helping Connecticut to understand the pervasive application of information technology across its traditional economic pillars, including finance, insurance, and manufacturing. Through extensive interviewing with industry and inventorying of Connecticut’s education and training providers, Battelle’s strategy identified serious gaps in the linkages between industry and education, and the needs for retrofitting the pipeline for developing IT workers. Battelle is now assisting the Governor’s Office of Workforce Competitiveness in the implementation of the recent legislation enacting Connecticut’s IT Workforce Development Strategy. Battelle is working to design pilot initiatives in the areas of IT school to career, IT internships for college students, IT certification of non-IT majors and transitioning non-IT workers into IT careers. Battelle is also working to define an operating structure for the Digital Compact and Digital Strategic Fund to be established.

Project: Arizona’s Bioscience Workforce Strategy: Preparing for the Future

Client: Maricopa Community Colleges

Battelle was engaged to assist Arizona in creating a bioscience workforce development strategy. The purpose of the study was to develop a fact-based understanding of the demand and supply of bioscience workers in Arizona. The study required an analysis of primary factors shaping demand and supply and how to structure educational programs to ensure a balance. Battelle provided a better understanding of business needs, identified gaps in the educational delivery system, and made recommendations how to satisfy existing needs utilizing the current educational infrastructure. Battelle recommendation concentrated on identifying opportunities the 21st Century knowledge economy presents to reshape programs, courses, and curricula.

Project: New England’s Workforce Challenge: Strengthening the Regions Economic Competitiveness

Client: The New England Governors’ Conference

Battelle prepared an analysis of the information technology workforce challenges facing New England. Battelle facilitated the identification and development of an initial action plan involving state policy leaders drawn from New England States. The New England Governors’ Conference approved moving forward with the initial action steps involved in developing a New England Skills Standard, I-Talent Index for New England and a Share IT conference on best practices in 2001–2002.