ICT forums (formerly known as regional meetings)
at major colleges and universities, such as University
of New Mexico, Western Connecticut State University,
Georgia Southern University, University of Pittsburgh
at Johnstown and many others. These forums are one-day
events that are the perfect setting for students to network
and make valuable contacts with industry professionals
in their local areas, while expanding their knowledge
about the latest technologies and product offerings from
local and national ICT manufacturers, distributors
and suppliers.
Internationally, BICSI has hosted events with Curtain
University of Australia at its UAE campus in Dubai and
at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia and has
collaborated with Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería
(INICTEL-UNI) of Peru to launch the fourth edition of
the BICSI Lima Conference. Discussions are also underway
with the Universidad Ricardo Palma in Peru to support
“BICSI Day” by encouraging its engineering students
to attend. BICSI has also hosted conferences at the Republic
Polytechnic in Singapore as well as many other international
venues. BICSI’s Global Region Director also conducts
a yearly BICSI/ICT overview for the engineering
students at the University of Puerto Rico. These are several
of the many outreach endeavors that BICSI initiates
to advance the ICT industry and the future professionals
who can serve it.
62 I ICT TODAY
GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
Federal and state governments have a lot at stake when
it comes to the development of a robust infrastructure.
Tax dollars are helping grow the industry with initiatives
including pushing high-speed internet to rural areas,
improving security for government buildings and schools,
and providing free Wi-Fi in public areas. The U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA) has a program called “ReConnect”
to supply high-speed internet (minimum 25 mbps
download and 3 mbps upload) to serve rural areas that
do not have sufficient broadband connectivity.
In Wisconsin, the School Safety Initiative (SSI) offers
grants for schools to install door access and additional
surveillance to help increase school safety. Other states
have similar programs that require telecom and ICT-
related work to improve school security.
This is just a small sampling of government initiatives
that impact the telecommunications and ICT
industry. Most of the initiatives are aimed at system
enhancements without much emphasis on building
industry awareness.
TECHNICAL COLLEGES
TRAIN THE WORKFORCE
Most of the technical and community colleges across the
U.S. play a significant role in training local workforces.
There are two sides to most technical colleges: the typical
semester-based courses and hands-on custom training.
Many community colleges throughout the U.S. offer
a telecommunications curriculum. When closely inspecting
the individual courses, however, it becomes apparent
that many, if not most, of those courses are designed for
IT and not ICT careers.
“Technical colleges exist not only to teach classes but
to solve problems and improve the health, quality of life,
and the environment for everyone in the state. When
we create a productive and healthy business community,
everyone benefits. We don't have a profit motive. We're
trying to make our state a better place to live by helping
our businesses be successful,” says Matt Janisin, vice president
of Gateway Technical College’s (Gateway) Business
and Workforce Solutions. He adds, “In 2008 we recognized
the need for specific training for the growing
ICT industry, so we started our telecom program. The
RCDDs in general
management positions
are compensated
23 percent more
($126,734 average)
than those without the
credential ($103,067).