Post on 15-Jul-2015
• Between 2010 and 2020, employment growth and retirements will require more than 9,000 new application and web developers in Minnesota. (source: DEED Occupational Projections through 2020)
• In 2010, Minnesota universities awarded 832bachelor degrees in computer and information science, down from more than 1,100 in 2005. (source: Minnesota Office of Higher Education )
• 37% of employers report difficulty hiring new grads, due to skill mismatches and lack of candidates. (source: DEED 2013 survey of employers.)
TALENT SHORTAGE
• Technology skills used to produce actual products and solutions
• The capacity to work effectively with others and be part of a team
• The perspective to appreciate business goals and customer requirements
THE EXPERIENCE GAP
Students are often lacking real-world project experience:
• Limited capacity to provide “real-world” applied experience
• University curriculum tends to be discipline based rather than competency based
• Students often question faculty advice regarding employer expectations
THE EDUCATION CHALLENGEEducators struggle to keep pace with changing market demands
and technologies:
Definition: “The binding of two or more things, tangible or intangible, into something new that possesses properties of both.”
EDUCATORS + EMPLOYERS
New generation of students, highly employable and prepared for the
demands of the market.
FUSION
EMPLOYER ENGAGED EDUCATIONEmployers working with educators to create a new generation of
graduates educated in the web and app development fields.
• Employers may engage by:
– Helping to shape and evolve curriculum based on business needs
– Leading educational sessions and mentoring students
– Providing feedback to educators as market and technology demands change
– Endorsing students for admittance to program
• Employers will benefit by:
– Students graduating with a practical blend of professional, technical and hand-on skills
– Gaining privileged access to a continuous pipeline of talent
– Talent acquisition process that matches skills with business needs through a unique, IT residency program
• Curriculum developed in conjunction with employers
• Years 3 & 4 of a bachelor’s degree program offered at Metropolitan State University and Minnesota State University-Mankato
• Typical pathway into program is from 2-year institutions with students already competent in entry level technical skills
• Concurrent IT residency program providescredit for graduation
• Employer partners evaluate and select student residents through an online endorsement process
FUSION PROGRAM SPECIFICS
• Self-management; those skills that underlie personal and professional success;
• Working effectively with others, those skills and attributes that enable individuals to work productively and enjoyably with others, including people from dissimilar backgrounds or perspectives;
• Contextual awareness of and responsiveness; understanding the industry, business and customer perspective
• Thinking and process skills, the framework and techniques needed for analysis, decision making and innovation.
FUSION WORKPLACE OUTCOMES
• Proficiency with current programming languages and platforms (e.g. Java, Java Script, HTML 5, .net)
• The ability to apply software development methodologies and standards to product development
• Design and implement a computer-based system, process, component, or program to meet desired needs
• The capacity to analyze existing systems and add features or enhance solutions within that environment
• Awareness of the need and options to maintain skills through continuous professional development
FUSION TECHNICAL OUTCOMES
FUSION PROGRAM AMBITIONSMissionProvide a rewarding career opportunity for students and produce the quality of application development talent needed by Minnesota employers
VisionCreate a community of learners, educators and employers that help fuel innovation and entrepreneurship in Minnesota’s application and web development community
ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIESEmployer engagement is centered around the IT Residency program, but there are
many other opportunities to be involved as well.
Program Development• Program continuous improvement• Scholarship funding• Advocacy initiatives
Employer Led Learning• Guest speaking• Adjunct faculty role• Project sponsorship• Cooperative research• Competitions/Challenges
Career Guidance• Bi-monthly forums• Informational interviews• Business showcase visits• Mentoring
Employer Program
Development
EmployerCareer
Guidance
EmployerLed
Learning
ITResidency
FUSION IT RESIDENCYThe cornerstone of employer involvement and student success
• Provides up to 2000+ hours of work experience• Applicants are pre-screened by employer partners• Students are embedded on project teams and contribute to coding, testing,
business analysis, and other roles as needed• Students are employed by the University, simplifying the Residency
relationship for employer partners• Optional added-value role with Maverick Software as intermediary• A resident’s elective coursework may be tailored to employer technologies• Employers have access to proven performers for subsequent employment
The IT Residency is an extended part-time work experience that utilizes student talent on application and web development teams in roles determined by the employer partner.
Step 1 Business Letter of Interest
Step 2 Residency Employment Agreement
Step 3 Initial Resident Selection
Step 4 IT Residency Begins
IT RESIDENCY TIMELINEThe initial timeline for each residency takes approximately 3-4 months. Resident start times are typically May, September, and January.
EMPLOYER SUPPORTERSJoin these forward-thinking employers who have helped shape the Fusion program to date:
• Blue Earth Interactive• Digineer• Maverick Software Consulting• Minnesota Headhunter, LLC• MOJO Minnesota• The Nerdery• Project Skyway• Yugma
NEXT STEPS• You spoke, we listened, and now we need you to participate • Employer residency slots are available• Complete a business letter of interest• Residency employment agreement
Bruce Lindberg Amy LaneExecutive Director Director of FUSION programAdvance IT Minnesota Advance IT Minnesotabruce.lindberg@metrostate.edu amy.lane@metrostate.edu612-659-7228 651-793-7225
FUSION IT RESIDENCY HIRING OPTIONS
Contract directly with university• Advance IT provides FUSION director as a single point of contact to resolve any
issues that may arise, including reassignment• University assumes payroll and W2 responsibilities• Employer provides supervision, coaching, and project management• Employer provides any supplemental training that may be needed• Employer provides equipment and security provisions• Employer tracks hours and submits reports to the university via online system
Cost is $18.00/hour
For both alternatives:Employer partner always makes the selection decisionResidents are employed as student workers by the universityResidents receive 64 hours of workplace professionalism training courseResident starting pay is $14.00 per hour (with option for increase)
FUSION IT RESIDENCY HIRING OPTIONS
Maverick Partnership OptionMaverick Software Consulting pioneered the effective use of student workers with Thomson Reuters and has seven years of experience delivering project results for over a dozen company clients. Maverick provides the following value-added services:
• Resident supervision, coaching and supplemental training for project• Resolution of performance issues as needed• Project liaison with company PMs• Provision of secure, monitored laptops• Automated reporting of student work time and contributions• Manage contracts and payroll with universities
Comparative Cost is approximately $23/hour, but negotiated for each client based on terms