Recommendations, Best Practices Identified for IT Workforce

The 21st Century Workforce Commission has released its final report, A Nation of Opportunity, and recommendations for developing the nation's new high tech workforce. The report provides an analysis of how leadership in regional partnerships of education, business and government can effectively address critical shortages of skilled workers in information technology jobs.

The Commission makes several recommendations for each of nine "Keys to Success" for overcoming the gap in IT workers and for increasing opportunities for changing composition of the American workforce and population. While intended to address IT, the report’s findings and recommendations have application across broader workforce issues in a knowledge-based economy.

The Commission's nine "Keys to Success" are:

1. Building 21st Century Literacy

2. Exercising Leadership Through Partnerships

3. Forming Learning Linkages for Youth

4. Identifying Pathways into IT Jobs

5. Increasing Acquisition of IT Skills

6. Expanding Continuous Learning

7. Shaping a Flexible Immigration Policy for Skilled IT Workers

8. Raising Student Achievement

9. Making Technology Access and Internet Connectivity Universal

The Commission also prepared an eHandbook of Best Practices, collecting examples of effective efforts in private companies, nonprofit organizations and public agencies to address each of the nine keys to success. Short descriptions and links for additional information and contacts are provided for each best practice identified.

The 21st Century Workforce Commission was established by Congress to take a "snapshot" of the information technology workforce around the country. The Commission -- 17 members with relevant expertise from business, education, labor, and government -- was charged with studying and recommending to the President and Congress how best to ensure that American workers have the opportunity to prepare for and succeed in the IT jobs of today and tomorrow.

The report, eHandbook of Best Practices, and additional background papers can be found at: http://www.workforce21.org/finalreport.htm