Expected Trends for 2013

2012 is winding down and we had an amazing year. The launch of the iPhone 5. An emboriled battle between Samsung and Apple over various patents relating to their phones, a meltdown that has become known as Mapple as Google and Apple start to drift apart. Facebook finally going public, Instagram being bought out for almost a Billion dollars and many more exciting things in the tech world.

Amongst many other things we have a very exciting year coming up in 2013 and we want to know what you predict will happen in the coming months and year.

New Job Opportunities Flow from Advanced Technology

Recent news reports indicate positive trends in the IT industry for new job opportunities; even more encouraging is that this appears to be nation-wide trend. There are several factors that point to a healthier information and computer technology industry, which appears to be strengthening monthly.

California, in particular, seems to be leading the way in this trend. Several companies have added to their workforce in recent times, with nearly 100,000 new jobs created in three months. This rate of growth exceeds the estimates of most economic experts, with many reporting that it definitely appears to be the technology industry that is driving the general growth in jobs in this state.

The positive trends should be an optimistic indicator for IT professionals, showing that the industry is recovering and even growing again. What often happens after an economic downturn is that employers tend to be cautious about hiring more workers, often opting for working lean for a while. When they relax this position and start to hire new workers again, it is an encouraging indication that confidence is returning. A word of caution here though; a more extended growth period is required before it can be said that the technology industry has fully recovered.

There is more good news for the industry with growth being seen in developed technologies such as cloud and managed services. New models are showing that the trend to leaner organizations is being followed here as well, in addition to increased support options and other services being made available to customers. Providers of these advanced technologies are seeing improved profitability as well as openings for additional workers.

Trained professionals especially, are in greater demand. People who have gained certification in conjunction with advanced education in managed services technology have a definite advantage when positions are advertized. Sales professionals with experience in a more consultative sales approach are being favored over the more traditional product-based sales personnel. There is definitely scope here for workers to get themselves trained up so that they are more appealing to employers.

The emphasis is definitely on skills and certification and, in line with the policy of running a leaner organization; those who possess these are the ones being keenly sought. Companies see the benefit in paying higher than average salaries to get the brightest candidates on board. They are being considered a valuable investment for the future.

So it seems that cloud computing and managed services are leading the way in the growth in the information technology jobs market and are making the most significant contribution to increased job creation and availability. Some companies appear to be reducing their numbers of internal technicians and turning to outside service providers instead. This trend has lead to a growth in the number of IT service providers, a trend that is making these services available to a wider range of companies.

It seems the experts agree – it is the cloud computing and managed services sectors that are leading the growth in jobs in the IT industry.

NWCET

Excellence3

Welcome to the new Homepage for NWCET. With our new website comes a new name – we are now known as the National Workflow Center for Emerging Technologies.

The name may be different but the standard of services remains the same. Our goal is to continue to provide a standard of excellence in educational programs for the IT and computer industries. We will achieve this through the development of innovative programs that are geared to meet the workforce demands of the 21st century.

National Leaders

Through on-going consultation with businesses and industry leaders, we will continue to lead the way in IT and computer education with industry-specific training programs. These programs are designed with the aim of providing students with the skills and knowledge they will need to succeed in these vital industries.

Through education in schools, colleges and in the workplace, we aim to break some of the stereotypes that exist around the IT industry. We encourage students to consider Information and Computer Technology as exciting and rewarding, requiring skills that can easily be mastered through the appropriate education programs. Our programs are relevant today and in the future, as we research trends that are likely to occur within the industry.

In addition to our education programs, we offer workshop and seminar design and application. Our experienced staff members are also available as talented and engaging guest speakers for your conference or seminar. We offer a consultation service to businesses to assist with the education and training or workers.

Please contact our office today to discuss your educational needs within the IT and computer industries.

 

New Technology for 2013

We are looking for the latest trends and news for the technology field for this year. We are now opening up submissions for those who think that they have the latest and greatest ground breaking technology that will inhibit and change the future as we know it.

When we were at the Consumer Electronics Show this year we noticed the following trends in the industry. There are a lot more companies selling iphone cases and accessories than necessary. It seemed as if every other company there was displaying or showcasing iphone cases as if you were walking around a low level shopping center.

Jambox speakers work. Well guess what everybody else you are trying to get into a market that you should just stay out of and let the experts do what they do best.

Beats by Dre rock and practically own the headphone market. So Marley headphones, Insert Famous guy or spokespersons name here headphones. Your company is not needed. Get out of the marketplace. Try something new and innovative.

Televisions are amazing. This is one field that is continuously innovating and was very cool in my opinion. We loved the ultra thin televisions and display showcases by Sharp, Samsung, and a few names that I had never heard of. Keep up the good work and improving entertainments path to least resistances images.

Ultrabooks and detachable tablet computers are the next big thing. As we saw this is the new thing. It’s a tablet like an ipad that doubles as your computer screen but than you can change it to act as a detachable tablet. Very cool and the next thing in portable computer as you have a keyboard that is not a bluetooth hookup (take note apple).

3D printing is the next big thing. As we saw booths from 3-D Systems and Protos Eyewear we can tell that in a few years the thing that is causing our next industrial revolution will have a lot more visibility at conferences and events like this. What is 3D printing? Well it’s the ability to take 2D printing but making it 3 dimensional with any type of product that can be designed in a rapid prototyping state.

Some industrys need to brighten up and get with the latest innovations. What kind of companies? Well the government for one look at the disaster that has become the post office. The financial industry (not the stock market or insurance industries or those correlated) but rather the more dark side like the Structured Settlement and factoring industry. As experts from Einstein structured settlements tell us that the way that court house documents are currently retrieved are so rudimentary and outdated that technology that could be showcased at a show like CES would astonish the entire industry.

Please submit your thoughts on the future of innovation. #CES2013

This year, NWCET celebrates its 12th anniversary as a national leader in IT education and workforce development. Over these past 12 years, NWCET has completed a number of education and technology projects and grants, and has developed several nationally recognized products and services including: IT Skill Standards, Standards Based Curriculum Applications, IT Program Design and Implementation, National IT Faculty Development Outreach, and IT and Technology Horizon Research. NWCET is affiliated and co-located with the Washington State Center for Information Technology Excellence (CITE), a statewide resource for community and technical colleges, the K-20 educational system, and the information technology (IT) industry.

We serve Faculty, Educational Institutions, Business and Industry, Students, and Counselors as well and Government in areas related to education and technology infusion. Download NWCET’s brochure.

Events Archive
The Annual IT Futures Education Summit: Friday, May 29th at Microsoft
“Redefining IT/CS/BT Programs for 21st Century Industry & Students”
The 2009 Washington State IT Futures Education Summit was held Friday, May 29th, 2009, at the Microsoft Corporate Conference Center. Technical and workforce development instructors across our state discovered new and innovative ways to improve IT education. This one-day free event featured several industry and education speakers in various disciplines of IT that shared the impacts, challenges, growth and demands of technology.

This year’s panel presentation and question/answer session explored: “Keeping WA State IT & CS CTC Programs Current and Relevant to Meet Changing Industry Needs”. Panelists included CTC faculty and administrators who have experienced first-hand reviewing, refreshing, redefining and creating IT/CS/BT programs on their campuses.

Benefits of attending:
Learn about current upcoming technical skills sought by businesses.
Focus on integration of new technologies and strategies for classroom learning.
Choose a break-out session with industry and faculty co-presenters for a specific area of interest.
Network with other instructors to build a community amongst our institutions.
This year’s key note speaker was Jim LeValley, Group Product Manager for the Academic Segment, Microsoft Learning at Microsoft Corporation. Mr. LeValley spoke about “Job Market Outlook for IT Professionals.”

Session titles are below. Included within the day’s activities were drawings for great giveaways (books, seats to the 2009 Working Connections IT Faculty Development Institute, and more)!

Agenda

8:00 – 8:30 AM Check-in & Continental Breakfast

8:30 – 9:30 AM General Session
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Paul Boyum, Vice President of Workforce, Bellevue College
Sandra Mikolaski, Associate Director, NWCET
Keynote Speaker – Jim LeValley, Global Education Programs Director, Microsoft Learning at
Microsoft Corporation
Presentation Topic: “Job Market Outlook for IT Professionals”
9:30 – 9:45 AM Networking Break

9:45 – 10:45 AM Session #1 Presentations
Cascade Auditorium: How to Refresh Your IT Program –
Alan Carter, Green River Community College & Jeff Johnson, Academy Manager, Microsoft
St. Helens: Visual Studio 2010 – Jason Olsen, Technical Evangelist, Microsoft
Rainier: Elluminate Your Classes – Mary Corcoran, Bellevue College

10:45 – 11:45 AM Session #2 Presentations
Cascade Solar Auditorium: Windows Server 2008 RC2 –
Ward Ralston, Group Product Manager, Microsoft & Melissa Dehaan, Columbia Basin College
St. Helens: Cloud Computing and Windows Azure – Ryan Dunn, Senior Technical Analyst, Microsoft
Rainier: Adobe Creative Suite – Ron Austin, Bellevue College

11:45AM – 1:00 PM Lunch & Roundtable Discussions
Cascade Auditorium: “So What Does a Green IT Job Look Like?” –
facilitated by Michele Royer & Agnes Figueroa-Martinez, Bellevue College
St. Helens: “Learn about the new Microsoft Technical Achievement Certifications:
What they are and how you can use them.” – facilitated by Jeff Koch, Sr. Product Manager of Certifications,
Microsoft Learning
Rainier: Microsoft Project

1:00 – 2:00 PM Session #3 Presentations
Cascade Auditorium: Advanced Office 2007: Sharepoint – “Why Employers Want Your Students to Know It” –
Steve Fox, Senior Technical Evangelist, Microsoft & Mary Corcoran, Bellevue College
St. Helens: Windows 7 – Stephen Rose, Senior Community Manager, Windows OS & Melissa Dehaan,
Columbia Solar Basin College
Rainier: Camtasia Studio, Snagit, & Jing Project: Creating Rich Media for Your Students, Jean Kent

2:00 – 2:15 PM Networking Break – West Hall

2:15 – 3:15 PM Aligning Your IT/CS Program to Industry Needs – Cascade Auditorium
Moderated by Marcia Williams, Bellevue College
Alan Carter, Green River Community College; Mary Corcoran, Bellevue College; Steve Hailey, Edmonds Community College; Mike Kelley, Grays Harbor Community College; Clyde Rasmussen, Big Bend Community College

3:15 – 3:30 PM Closing Remarks and Giveaways – Auditorium TBD
Kelley Beverly, Academic Program Manager, Microsoft Learning, Microsoft Corporation
Maureen Majury, Senior Program Manager, NWCET, Director for Center for IT Excellence

Please note: Program is subject to change.

Special thanks to Microsoft Learning, Microsoft IT Academy Program, the Microsoft Conference Center, Wiley Publishing Prometric, the Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges, Washington State Working Connections IT Faculty Development Institute, and the League for Innovation in the Community College for support of this year’s Summit.

Third Annual Careers in IT: The Real Story - Wednesday, April 29, 2009 (Free Event!)

Are your students curious about Information Technology (IT) or do they think IT is only for geeks? Do they think offshore outsourcing has eliminated all high paying technology jobs in the United States? Do your students believe they don’t have the computer skills, technical competence or aptitude to do well in the information technology sector? Tell them to think again!!!

There were drawinsg for exciting prizes!

Event Details:
Bellevue College, N201, N-Building
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009
8:30AM - 9:30AM (Check-in, Light refreshments and networking)
9:30AM - 11:30AM (Program)
11:30AM - 12:00PM (Lunch provided)

2007 IT Summit presentations and related materials are available below
Keynote Speaker
Daniel Rasmus, Director of Information Work Vision, Microsoft:

Session Presenters
Corinne Hoisington, Central Virginia Community College (IT professor and author)
Everything Just Changed: Office 2007

Dr. Mark Minie, Affiliate Instructor, Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, University of Washington

Dr. Michele Royer, NWCET, Bellevue College

Watch the videos from the 2007 IT Education Futures Summit.
Keynote speaker, Daniel Rasmus, Director of Information Work Vision, Microsoft

IT Employer & Hiring Panel Discussion

Workforce Education Council/Continuing Education Council Presentations – February 8, 2007

The Center of Excellence and National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies (NWCET) were honored to present data on the “Future IT Workforce & Trends in IT Education and Careers” (Jerry Bunce, Boeing, and Michele Royer, NWCET) at the statewide WEC/CEC meeting February 8th at Bates College in Tacoma. The informative presentations are available for download here: Jerry’s presentation, Michele’s presentation.
You can also link to a podcast of the program, (click on right-hand menu) including a brief introduction of the event and speakers by former Center of Excellence director Jeff Johnson.
The podcast was produced by Greg Marshall of Whatcom College. The February 8 event was attended by over 100 representatives from thirty-four community and technical colleges. Thanks to Jerry and Michele for their excellent insights, detailed presentations, and IT workforce and education information shared with the group on behalf of the Center of Excellence.

Future Potential in IT Event – February 18, 2007
Videos of the Future Potential in IT are now available for viewing. ‘Major Nelson’ (Larry Hryb) the Director of Programming for Microsoft’s Xbox Live: Windows media, Real player. Larry discusses the development process of the Xbox and gaming. Joel Chaplin of Infospace, Inc. was the keynote speaker, and speaks on his experiences in the IT industry: Windows media, Real player. The industry panel, with eight computing and IT professionals, discuss why students should consider “looking for a great major” in IT: Windows media, Real player.
Any questions, contact us at [email protected] or 425-564-4215.

NWCET presented a podcasting workshop in partnership with Apple in November 2005. To listen to the workshop click here.

 

 

New Technology for iPhone 5

There are a lot of new technologies that have come out that are changing our everyday habits. Just today the iPhone 5 was announced with a new, faster, and more agile LTE cable that will allow for new innovations and changes just in the Apple iPhone market which could be a true case study on the economy in itself.

When you think about all of the jobs that are created by having an iPhone it truly is amazing. For example you can have new case manufacturers, headphone creators, iPhone application creators, and tons more. Also another really interesting feature is that the newest iteration of Siri will allow for users to have access to instant updates on sports scores, schedules, and more. A recent interview with star handicapper and well known football capper Adam Meyer showcased a new iPhone application for those who are interested in using an iPhone application to receive their daily picks, scores, schedules, live odds, and so forth.

So thanks to the newest apple invention new jobs and new innovations come on board.