Northeastern Hosts Computer Science Workforce Summit

Northeastern Hosts Computer Science Workforce Summit

Over 60 representatives from regional technology companies, K-12 and higher Eeucation institutions and government leaders gathered at Northeastern’s Seattlegraduate campus last week to brainstorm actions that be taken collectively to better meet the region and state need for workers skilled in computer science.  

The Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) and its Workforce Development Committee, chaired by Northeastern University Dean Tayloe Washburn, hosted the event.  The meeting started with a dramatic demonstration of a code-teaching robot named NAO, an innovative medium that is now being used in approximately 1,200 K-12 schools and universities around the world.  We then heard an update on the WTIA’s active role in developing tools to help small and medium technology companies adopt internship or co-op programs as a time-tested recruiting technique.  Community college leaders in attendance also outlined the two federal Department of Labor grants they have submitted.  Organizations like the WTIA,AT&T, Impinj and Tableau Software are each integrally involved in these grant applications, and have committed to help the colleges  develop curriculum aligned to industry needs and also help teach the courses.  If these grants are awarded, it will significantly boost the computer science capacity of community colleges across the state.

The bulk of the meeting was devoted to reviewing a draft Computer Science Shortage Strategic Plan which has been spearheaded by  Washington State House Education Committee leaders, Rep. Drew Hanson and Rep. Chad Magendanz.The plan is designed to direct new state investments in computer science in the most effective manner.  The specific programs identified would: 

1) help increase the role of computer science courses in K-12

2) increase the computer science degree production from higher education institutions

3) improve and increase the numbers of professionals trained to teach computer science.  

This summit attracted top computer science leaders from  the Washington Roundtable’s Partnership for Learning, Project Lead the Way, Ada Academy, Washington STEM, the University of Washington Seattle and Bothell campuses, Washington State University, City University and representatives of Microsoft, F5 and other technology companies.

The state legislators collected specific feedback from these stakeholders on all elements of the draft Strategic Plan, and will return with new drafts prior to putting forward specific bills to the Washington State Legislature in 2012.  Contact our Dean, Tayloe Washburn, if you would like to participate in the Workforce Development Committee or be kept abreast of its work.

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