History
Idea to Reality
The MN IT Workforce Collaborative got its start at the MN IT Workforce Summit, a June 2008 event developed from an idea generated at the Center for Strategic IT & Security. It was hosted by DEED, MHTA and the MNSCU Center for Strategic IT and Security. The positive momentum generated provided the opportunity to begin discussions focusing on how to leverage the broad based interest in support of the MN IT Industry. The chronology below highlights the positive steps taken over the past year. Today more than sixty volunteers representing business, education, government and non-profits are participating in one or more of the groups formed.
June 2008: MN IT Workforce Summit hosted by DEED, Center for Strategic IT and Security and MN High Tech Association (more than 100 attendees representing Industry, Education, Workforce Systems, Government, Non Profits and other community members)
September 2008: Informal organization meetings began
November 2008: Announcement of receipt of DEED FIRST Grant (Framework for Integrated Regional Strategies)
November 2008: Monthly Leadership Team meetings representing Industry, Education, Workforce Systems and other community partners began
November 2008: Partnership with Dakota Future established
December 2008: Executive Director and Volunteer Coordinator hired
January 23, 2009: Keystone Kick-Off event at the Unisys Roseville facility with IT Industry “Supply” and “Demand” presentations and organization of three Task Forces (IT Industry Supply, IT Industry Demand, IT Transitional Workers) and the High School Outreach Demonstration Project
February 2009: WIKI launched to facilitate cross-functional communications
April 2009: Informal distribution of IT Staffing and Skills Survey
April 15, 2009: Participation at the MN High Tech Association (MHTA) Spring Conference
April 2009: Q1 2009 FIRST Grant report submitted
May 2009: Distribution of on-line survey to Metro area Dislocated Worker Counselors
June 2009: Web Site beta site established
July 2009: Q2 2009 FIRST Grant report submitted
September 2009: Web Site redesign and launch
September 2009: Collaborative restructured & nomination committee created
