This document provides an overview of the FUSION program, which aims to address challenges in developing IT talent in Minnesota. It summarizes the program as follows: 1) The FUSION program blends employer and educator perspectives to develop IT curriculum and place students in IT residencies with employer partners, in order to produce graduates with both technical skills and real-world experience. 2) Through the residency program, students gain credits toward their degree while employers help shape the program and evaluate residents. 3) The goals are to provide rewarding careers for students and quality IT talent for Minnesota employers, and create a community that fuels innovation.

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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