FUSION 2018 Program Overview

1. EMPLOYER PRESENTATION:
September 2018

2. • Challenges
• The New Approach
• The FUSION Program
• Employer Engagement Opportunities
AGENDA
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3. CHALLENGES
Our current approach is coming up short
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4. • Between 2010 and 2020, employment growth and
retirements will require more than 9,000 NEW
application and web developers in Minnesota.
(Source: DEED Occupational Projections through 2020)
•
In September 2018 there are nearly 35,000 open
applicaiton or web develop position in Minnesota
(source: indeed.com)
•
37% of employers report difficulty hiring new grads,
due to skill mismatches and lack of candidates.
(source: DEED 2013 survey of employers)
TALENT SHORTAGE EXAMPLE:
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5. • Technology skills used to produce
actual products and solutions
• The capacity to work effectively with
others and be part of a team
• The ability to appreciate business
goals and customer requirements
THE EXPERIENCE GAP
Students are often lacking
real-world work experience:

6. • Limited capacity to provide “real-world”
applied experience in college
• University curriculum tends to be
discipline rather than competency based
•
THE EDUCATION CHALLENGE
Educators struggle to keep pace
with changing market demands
and technologies:
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Technology is changing so fast that it is hard
for colleges to keep up with the new
techonlogy systems in the classroom.

7. FUSION Definition:
“The binding of two or more things, tangible or
intangible, into something new that possesses
properties of both.”
EDUCATORS
+ EMPLOYERS
Experienced students,
highly employable and
prepared for the
demands of the market.
FUSION: A New Approach
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8. EMPLOYER ENGAGED EDUCATION
Employers working with educators to create a new generation of
graduates experienced in their field prior to graduation.
• Employers may engage by:
– Helping to shape and evolve
curriculum based on business needs
– Leading educational sessions and
mentoring students
– Providing feedback to educators as
market and technology demands
change
– Helping students prepare for the
workplace
• Employers will benefit by:
– Students graduating with a practical
blend of professional, technical and
hands-on experience
– Gaining privileged access to a
continuous pipeline of talent
– Talent acquisition process that matches
skills with business needs through a
unique, IT residency program
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9. FUSION PROGRAM
Innovative program blending employer and educator perspectives
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10. • FUSION curriculum is developed in
conjunction with employers
• Junior and Senior year of a bachelor’s
degree program offered at Metropolitan
State University or Minnesota State
University-Mankato
• Typical pathway into program is from 2-
year institutions with students already
competent in entry level technical skills
• IT residency program provides credit for
graduation (8 credits of FUSION total)
• Employer partners evaluate and select
student residents
FUSION PROGRAM SPECIFICS
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11. • Self-management; skills that underlie
personal and professional success;
• Working effectively with others; skills
and attributes that enable individuals to
work productively and enjoyably with
others, including people with diverse
backgrounds or perspectives;
• Contextual awareness of and
responsiveness; understanding the
industry, business and customer
perspective
• Thinking and process skills; the
framework and techniques needed for
analysis, decision making and
innovation.
FUSION WORKPLACE OUTCOMES
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12. • Proficiency with current programming
languages and platforms (e.g. Java, Java
Script, HTML 5, .net)
• The ability to apply software
development methodologies and
standards to product development
• Design and implement a computer-
based system, process, component, or
program to meet desired needs
• The capacity to analyze existing
systems and add features or enhance
solutions within that environment
• Awareness of the need and options to
maintain skills through continuous
professional development
FUSION TECHNICAL OUTCOMES
Example for Computer App Development
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13. FUSION PROGRAM AMBITIONS
Mission
Provide a rewarding career opportunity for students and produce
the quality I.T. talent needed by Minnesota employers
Vision
Create a community of learners, educators and employers that help
fuel innovation and entrepreneurship in Minnesota’s I.T.
Community
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14. EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Pathways to secure the talent you need
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15. ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Employer engagement is centered around the IT Residency program, but there are
many other opportunities to be involved as well.
Program Development
• Program continuous improvement
• Scholarship funding
• Advocacy initiatives
Employer Led Learning
• Guest speaking
• Adjunct faculty role
• Project sponsorship
• Cooperative research
• Competitions/Challenges
Career Guidance
• Informational interviews
• Business showcase visits
• Mentoring
Employer
Program
Development
Employer
Career
Guidance
Employer
Led
Learning
IT
Residency
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16. EMPLOYER SUPPORTERS
Join these forward-thinking employers who have helped shape
the Fusion program to date:
• Blue Earth Interactive
• Digineer
• Maverick Software Consulting
• Minnesota Headhunter, LLC
• MOJO Minnesota
• The Nerdery
• Project Skyway
• Yugma
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17. NEXT STEPS
• Employer I.T. residency students are available – contact us for
more information
• Job description is required along with designated supervisor
• Contact FUSION Coordinator at Minnesota State IT Center of Excellence
Contact:
Janice.aanenson@metrostate.edu
or
visit http://fusion-education.org/
for more information.
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18. THANK YOU!
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