Regular readers of this blog know that the National Convergence Technology Center (CTC) believes strongly that annual job skills validation meetings with business experts are an essential element in making sure IT curriculum aligns with workforce needs. At these meetings, industry business councils – called “BILTs” (Business and Industry Leadership Teams) by the CTC – […]
At the recent WASTC Winter ICT Educators’ Conference, the National Convergence Technology Center (CTC) hosted a panel discussion on its successful “BILT” (Business and Industry Leadership Team) model that helps energize relationships between community college educators and industry experts. Most community college programs have traditional advisory boards in which business leaders guide programs via annual […]
The National Convergence Technology Center (CTC) recently hosted a “job skills validation” meeting with the National BILT (Business and Industry Leadership Team). This annual meeting – which was attended by six business experts in person and another six on the phone – fulfills the BILT’s primary task: delivering specific feedback on the knowledge, skills, and […]
When businesses get engaged in a local BILT (Business and Industry Leadership), we call this a “win-win” approach. In a previous post we talked about the value to education institutions partnering with local businesses as well as the rewards this presents to the students, but businesses can also find immense worth being on such a […]
Having a business council working with colleges is not a new concept. However, the Convergence Technology Center’s approach puts business in a co-leadership role rather than just a business approval role. The approach is key to ensuring that the students educated/trained by our partner educational institutions are “workforce ready” to be hired by the businesses. […]
As has become custom, a recent conference call meeting with the National Convergence Technology Center’s (CTC) Business and Industry Leadership Team (BILT) kicked off with a lengthy discussion of current and future trends in IT. The goal is to let faculty members also on the call know about the real-world state of the industry. Where […]
A regular feature of our Business and Industry Leadership Team (“BILT,” for short) meetings is a quick discussion of current and future trends. What are IT departments looking for in new hires today and what will they be looking for in 18 months? This is always a great way for our Convergence College Network (CCN) […]
Engagement with business and industry leaders is an essential element for any community college’s IT workforce program. Anyone familiar the National Convergence Technology Center (CTC) knows this – we call these groups business and industry leadership teams, or “BILTs” – is one of our cornerstone beliefs. We preach about the value of a BILT whenever […]
At a recent meeting of the National Convergence Technology Center’s (CTC) national Business and Industry Leadership Team (BILT), the subject of wearable technology came up. The consensus among this esteemed group is that the sky is the limit for that side of the IT industry, which means plenty of opportunities for IT students. More and […]
At the recent ATE PI conference in Washington, DC the National Convergence Technology Center (CTC) participated in a panel discussion on the hiring process of students who were successfully hired in their industry. The discussion focused on student mentoring, resume and interview preparation, and the hiring process. Dr. Ann Beheler facilitated a discussion with Collin […]