The Rural Information Technology Alliance (RITA) received an $18 million grant to develop IT skills training programs across multiple community colleges in rural areas. RITA aims to address local industry demands for IT workers in fields like networking, mobile applications, databases, and cybersecurity. Through innovative curriculum and partnerships between colleges, industry, and other groups, RITA hopes to serve over 1,100 students, have 630 complete programs, and help 415 earn credentials, with the goal of getting 620 employed and 430 seeing increased wages. The funding will support hardware, software, certification programs, curriculum development, and student support over three years starting in 2016.

1. Rural Information Technology Alliance –
Creating the Skills for Economic
Development
Michael J. Olesen
November 19, 2014

2. Pine City Lead Institution Gainesville, TX
Brainerd & Staples
Willmar & Hutchinson
The Partners

3. The Why: Market Demands
Identified by Local Industry
• VoIP
• Video Skills
• Vendor Certifications
• Security (and this was BT – before Target)
• Data Management
• Networking and Interoperability
• Virtualization Administration
• Modeling Skills
• Adaptability – the employee not the technology

4. The Economic Development
Landscape
• Communities with connectivity
• Rural Broadband Initiatives
• Locations on major interstates
• Quality of life
• Companies looking to relocate
• Demand in IT, Healthcare, Finance
• Deficit of IT workers
• IT wages higher on average, but lower than urban
areas

5. The Demand for the Skills
Employment Projections 2010-2020 Central Minnesota North Texas
Industry/Occupations % Change 2010 - 2020
Total, All Industries 18.30% 22%
Computer & Information Systems Managers 18.50% 22%
Management Analysts 17.60% 32%
Computer Systems Analysts 13.90% 61%
Computer Programmers 17.60% 41%
Software Developers, Applications 17.00% 25%
Software Developers, Systems Software 46.20% 32%
Network & Computer Systems Administrators 24.20% 31%
Info Security Analysts, Web Developers 18.20% 29%
Sources: QCEW Employees & Non-QCEW Employees - EMSI 2013.2 Class of Worker and DEED

6. Market Demand
A personal perspective

7. Department of Labor Funded
• Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College
Career Training (TAACCCT) grant – Round 3
• Program focuses on:
• Workers Displaced or could be displaced by
foreign trade
• But can serve others as well
• 18 million, four year, award
• Awarded October 1, 2013
• One of fifty-seven awards totaling $474.5 million

8. The RITA vision
Meet the evolving information technology
needs of rural communities by offering
educational programs to students in high-demand
information technology areas
through innovative and sustainable
partnerships among participating
community colleges with industry and other
stakeholders.

9. The RITA mission
The Rural Information Technology Alliance advances workforce development in
rural communities by preparing students for in-demand information technology
opportunities in IT networking, mobile applications, databases, computing
technology, and cybersecurity. It will:
• Develop innovative information technology curriculum that incorporates a
variety of novel instructional delivery approaches and that builds on the
strengths of all educational partners
• Provide practical, relevant courses and experiences that prepare students for
real-world challenges
• Provide exceptional support for students throughout the program and
including integrated student services
• Foster continuous dialogue among all stakeholders with the aim of
strengthening educational offerings

10. Programmatic Focus
• Application Development
• Mobile Apps (Android and Apple)
• Database Management
• Application Security
• Web Development
• Networking / Cybersecurity
• Microsoft Certification
• Cisco Certification
• Includes VoIP
• Computing Technology and Support

11. Ambitious Goals
• 1,100 participants served
• 630 completers
• 415 earned credentials
• 620 employed
• 430 with
increased
wages

12. The Hardware to Make it Happen
• Cisco Networking Equipment
• Workstation upgrades
• Android and Apple Devices
• Virtual server and vmWare

13. Novel Approaches to Teaching,
Learning, Recruitment and
Retention Shared, coordinated, and integrated curriculum
Contextualized learning
Hybrid and enhanced interactive online learning
Virtualized teaching of technology skills
Wrap-around student services
Engage and leverage workforce centers
Stacked and latticed credentials
Coordinated Communications Plan
Articulation agreements

14. What $18 million over 4 years buys
• Really three years – need to be up and running by Fall 2016
• Hardware and Software
• Certification Programs
• Curriculum development i.e. faculty time
• Student recruitment, retention and placement
• Industry, community, and other stakeholder outreach
• Faculty training
• Data collection assessment and evaluation
• Programmatic guidance and administration

15. Michael Olesen
Director
Rural Information Technology Alliance (RITA)
olesenm@pine.edu
olesen@ritaconsortium.org
320-629-5191 (office)
651-274-9982 (cell)
RitaConsortium.org
Thank You