Technology is revealing discontinuities in policies within the UW System and within State agencies. Similarly the customers of private industry expect a seamless relationship with all of a company's product lines even though they may come from autonomous business units. Networking expertise, Java and object oriented systems are important technical skills for new graduates. Project management skills, analytical skills and interpersonal skills are also very important, e.g., knowing what's the real issue in a customer relationship. These soft skills are typically lacking in recent graduates and the days are gone when someone can be content in a purely technical role.
Companies can train their employees in technical skills more easily than in the soft skills.
The DOA sponsored project management training workshops were praised, but follow up training on related skills, such as team building, is needed. Executives also need project management training in order for their project managers to succeed. Bob Jokisch and Joe Carter will discuss joint support for the Governor's IT student training proposal. ITEX and the CIO Council will share calendars and discuss future possibilities for networking. The Building Commission is currently reviewing the DOA recommendations that were made in discussion with the Governor.