The development of industry-based skill standards has been driven by the state board in an effort to involve industry in identifying job clusters, functions and key activities of a specific job and the competencies required to perform the job well. This effort is designed to give businesses work-ready employees. Assisting faculty in the preparation and presentation of curriculum is another coup for business. With the state board facilitating this paradigm shift, faculties are moving away from the ivory tower into the practical world of partnerships. Academia is partnering with business, recognizing this is the only acceptable 21st-century teaching and learning model.
Nothing comes all at once.
What this program needs is continued support from the business community, not just in information technology, but in all curricula. Now that government and academia have finally picked up the ball, let's not drop it by failing to wholeheartedly support these efforts. Sue Mackey, of The Mackey Group, is a business consultant, columnist and lecturer.