2. About ITCND Founded in 2000 by N.D. business, education and government leaders Membership includes IT businesses, educational institutions and state agencies Mission: Actively encourage the use, growth and development of information technology in North Dakota Talent development goal (create interest in N.D. IT careers)

3. Need for IT Career Awareness Industry needs –“ Businesses statewide are facing IT workforce challenges. At Microsoft Fargo our workforce needs are increasing annually. Our growth depends on the ability to secure a skilled and educated IT workforce for the future.” Gary Inman, ITCND president Microsoft Fargo IT director –“The sustainability and growth of our cooperative is dependent on securing a high-quality IT workforce. We are currently facing significant workforce shortages and are supporting this program in an effort to curb these and future shortages.” Doug Remboldt, ITCND board member NISC vice president of technical services

4. Need for IT Career Awareness IT is one of the state’s target industries (Governor’s talent initiative) –This designation identifies IT as one of the most exciting growth prospects for North Dakota. –With this growth comes the challenge of attracting, retaining and expanding the talent to meet the employment opportunities.

5. Need for IT Career Awareness Three of top five and six of top 25 growing occupations in N.D. are IT specific –No. 1: Network systems and data communications analysts –No. 3: Computer software engineers, applications –No. 4: Computer software engineers, systems software –No. 8: Database administrators –No. 15: Network and computer systems administrators –No. 22: Computer systems analysts Job Service N.D. Growth based on percent change in employment projected for 2004-2014

6. Need for IT Career Awareness 1,300 job openings expected through 2014 in six high-growth IT occupations (Job Service N.D.) High school students’ career goals don’t correlate with high-growth, high-demand occupations (N.D. Department of Commerce)

7. Need for IT Career Awareness The number of students enrolling in IT- related classes/degree programs and then choosing IT as a career is not meeting industry workforce needs (N.D. Department of Career and Technical Education)

8. Program Objectives Inform students, parents and educators of IT career opportunities in North Dakota Encourage students to enroll in IT-related classes and degree programs Develop a world-class IT workforce for the future

9. Program Methods Phase 1: Feasibility, industry support and IT workforce needs assessment studies (July 2007-March 2008) Phase 2: Program development (April-August 2008) Phase 3: Program coordination and implementation (tentatively-September 2008)

10. Program Budget $70,000 (one-time expense): Feasibility, industry support and IT workforce needs assessment studies; program development $85,000 (annual expense): Program coordination and implementation

11. Program Partners Bank of North Dakota Basin Electric Power Cooperative Bismarck Public Schools Job Service North Dakota MDU Resources Group Microsoft Fargo National Information Solutions Cooperative North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education North Dakota Department of Commerce

12. Program Partners Seeking additional public and private sector partners to assist in establishing the program –Funding –Program development input

13. Next Steps Industry/public sector support for sustainability Program development Secure presentation administrator Conduct research on presentation content and program logistics –IT workforce needs assessment –Input meetings Develop criteria for program evaluation