Challenge
By 2018, the United States could face a shortage of individuals in the workforce with the analytical skills needed to use big data to inform decision making. Community colleges can play a critical role in training the workers needed to fill this gap, which is expected to number about 190,000.
Through Creating Pathways for Big Data Careers, EDC is working with four community colleges to prepare students for careers in big data. This partnership will help develop and document pathways to big data careers and identify associate’s degrees, certificates, and four-year programs leading to employment.
Key Activities
Staff working on the Creating Pathways for Big Data Careers project are engaging in the following activities:
- Developing an occupational profile of the data practitioner and articulating industry expectations for the big data skills, knowledge, and behaviors needed
- Developing a model of stackable credentials describing pathways to data careers
- Working with community colleges to develop, expand, and/or revise programs and courses leading to data careers
- Disseminating project products, as well as lessons learned, to a national audience of community colleges, minority-serving institutions, tribal colleges, and business/industry representatives hiring for positions that require skills in working with big data
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PROJECT DIRECTOR
DURATION
FUNDED BY
PARTNERS
Bunker Hill Community College, Normandale Community College, Johnson County Community College, and Sinclair Community College