Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/646725
w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m M a r c h 2 0 1 6 • I NSIGH T | 29 really plan to do this like Google — there are no rules. We'll have different teams working on different projects and they can move from team to team." If all goes well, Lemke-Rochon can see the program expanding. "We have to find ways to get these kids more hands-on experience. at's how they learn," he says. at learning is imperative for the region. In addition to identifying the low numbers interested in pursuing IT as a career, the NEW ERA study also detected a current IT professional deficit of nearly 2,900 positions, which represents an estimated $209 million in lost income if industry has to hire those knowledge workers remotely. e NEW ERA study recommended a collaborative strategy among educators, industry and other groups to bridge the gap both long- and short-term. As industry ramps up its recruiting effort and outreach, both the K-12 and secondary education systems are tweaking and expanding their offerings. In addition to battling stereotypes of IT professionals as folks who sit in windowless offices and cubicles writing code, the study recommended that exposure at earlier ages and across genders could also help expand the do. ey need that talent coming." e curriculum, which includes components from the Boys & Girls Club and lessons developed by FVTC instructors, relies heavily on spurring the students' sense of exploration to introduce them to a range of IT career paths. "IT has changed a lot from its perception," says Kretz. "We want to make them aware of all those different career options." talent pool. ere are several girls in the initial group at Roosevelt. Megabites brings all the parties together in a new collaborative program that has already attracted attention outside the region, including a visit by Gov. Scott Walker the week the program launched. "Not only is IT interesting to the students, it's a field in demand," Walker says. "is is relevant not only for a career, but it touches many aspects of what our companies Gov. Scott Walker speaks with students involved in the Boys & Girls Club's new Megabites program about the importance of Information Technology careers. The program, financed by the J. J. Keller Foundation and using instructors from FVTC, seeks to increase the number of students interested in pursuing IT careers. C O U R T E S Y O F F O X V A L L E Y T E C H N I C A L C O L L E G E