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Information Technology Pathways through a Flexible Apprenticeship Model
To increase the number of qualified technicians, Columbus State Community College will establish an industry-aligned information technology career pathway through the development of a work-study model. The college is partnering with industry collaborators such as Nationwide Financial, Huntington National Bank, State Auto and JP Morgan Chase; Marion Technical College; regional high schools; and other institutions. The Information Technology Pathways through a Flexible Apprenticeship Model will leverage the college’s Modern Manufacturing Work Study program’s best practices.
The replicable, flexibly customized apprenticeship program will be designed for the IT industry so that it can be implemented nationwide. The program allows students to simultaneously earn and learn, with the two priorities being synergistic and aligned, rather than conflicting. Project plans include the creation of a technical guide for replication, with the first expansion planned with Marion Technical College.
This program supports the development of the high school IT career pathway, underrepresented students, high school teacher professional development, and military veterans. Formative evaluation will be used to make any needed project changes, and results data will be widely disseminated.
Project Objectives:
- Create, pilot, and scale an experiential learning model for students in IT pathways to engage employers
- Prepare a pipeline of technicians to meet industry demand by partnering with regional high schools to engage students through IT dual-credit options
Project Deliverables:
- Flexible Apprenticeship Model in Information Technology: The collaboratively developed and industry-led IT flexible apprenticeship model design, piloted in cybersecurity, will include foundational technical coursework in the first year, leading to the work-study experience in year two.
- Early IT Academic Pathway for High School Students: The Early IT Pathway will facilitate the education pipeline from high school to community college, by transitioning foundational IT courses in the associate degree to high school dual credit. This will improve college readiness and increase the number of high school teachers with necessary credentials to teach dual-credit courses.
- Technical Guide for Replication and Pilot: The project will produce a technical guide to provide a blueprint for adaption of the model at other institutions. Marion Technical College will launch the initial pilot of this replicable model.
What is ATE?
The Information Technology Pathways through a Flexible Apprenticeship Model project is being funded by a National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Grant (DUE 1902211). With an emphasis on two-year colleges, Advanced Technological Education program focuses on the education of technicians for the high-technology fields that drive our nation's economy. The program involves partnerships between academic institutions and industry to promote improvement in the education of science and engineering technicians at the undergraduate and secondary school levels. The ATE program supports curriculum development; professional development of college faculty and secondary school teachers; career pathways to two-year colleges from secondary schools and from two-year colleges to four-year institutions; and other activities.