This guest post was written by Kay Read, Executive Director of IT-oLogy Charlotte.
It was about a year ago when Dan Roselli with Packard Place, recommended the Charlotte Technology Talent Task Force (TTT) check into an organization called IT-oLogy. (The TTT formed to proactively create a regional awareness of the national IT talent challenge and its impact on the Charlotte region.) It was only a few weeks later when Lonnie Emard, IT-oLogy President, introduced IT-oLogy to the group. By the end of the year, IT-oLogy launched in Charlotte.
Since then, the group has been focused on creating a sustainable branch, identifying and engaging the IT-oLogy Charlotte leadership teams to determine the program of work and its priorities, and connecting and engaging the regional IT ecosystem. The Executive Council, led by Frank Boncimino, Time Warner Cable SVP and CIO, sets the vision and the Steering Committee led by John Fread, Logical Advantage COO, plans and leads the execution of this direction.
Many of our Charlotte partners are utilizing the IT Gateway, the IT-oLogy job and internship bank. There are more than 1000 resumes representing students from many of our 80 college and university partners as well as IT professionals seeking new employment. One partner recently engaged two summer interns and hired a recent grad student through the bank, significantly shortening the recruiting cycle.
Cyber Saturday, sponsored by Time Warner Cable, is one of the Promote IT programs already underway. Over the last three months, Cyber Saturday engaged more than 150 middle school students in hands-on IT activities, encouraging curiosity and creativity. The students represented more than 40 different schools throughout the region. Our partners, Discovery Place, CPCC and Imaginon, host Cyber Saturday and volunteers from these and other partners lead and staff the program. It is our partners who make these programs possible.
Thanks to our many partners who are working together to grow the IT talent pipeline and advance the IT profession. Come and become a part of IT-oLogy. To become an IT-oLogy partner, sign up here. For more information, contact Kay Read, [email protected].