Igniting careers in IT and beyond

A few years ago, the desperate need of Washtenaw County companies for entry-level technology workers inspired Washtenaw Community College (WCC) to apply for and win a U.S. Department of Labor-Employment and Training Administration grant to develop information technology (IT) training.

The program – Intentionally Growing New Information Technology Employees (IGNITE) – takes one year to prepare people for entry level jobs in two high-demand IT areas: software development for Java and network and systems administration for Microsoft and Linux/Unix platforms.

Three years after its inception, IGNITE has transformed college practices for:

• Blended learning;
• Integrating support services;
• Engaging employers throughout the learning process, from curriculum development and enhancements, to hiring graduates; and
• Helping the college develop a sustainable model for future programming.

IGNITE was originally developed in partnership with Washtenaw County Michigan Works to get unemployed people back into the workforce. It was also designed to enable current workers to update skills. To overcome students who lacked IT experience and faced everyday challenges in pursuing a two-year degree full-time, IGNITE provided a high-intensity accelerated program that combined online and classroom teaching.

Dr. Rose Bellanca, WCC President says, “A key mission of our college is to respond to workforce demands and assure employers that WCC students graduate with relevant and marketable skills. Jobs in information technology continue to be in high demand, which reinforces the importance of this unique program.”

Students get about 70 percent of their education through online learning and 30 percent through classroom-based activities. As part of the program, students receive significant counseling and support from a career advisor.

Barbara Hauswirth, Experiential Learning Coordinator at WCC says the integrated support services “allowed the IGNITE faculty and staff to know every student at a more in-depth level and help address their challenges and prepare them for employment, which is particularly important for non-traditional students.”

Close participation from four IT employers in Washtenaw County has ensured that the curriculum responds to changing needs. Several graduates received paid internships and became permanent hires.

The Employer Advisory group, which ranges from small to large employers in the Ann Arbor area, keeps the college informed on what is working and what is not. One common comment was the severe shortage of soft skills among the labor force. The college responded by adding communications and teamwork to the curriculum.

IGNITE graduates have been hired as programmers, project managers, help desk operators and even IT consultants. One student, who had previously been a teacher, developed an app for K-12 study on mobile phones during her internship and is now taking it to market.

Dr. Rose Bellanca, President of Washtenaw Community College

Noted Dr. Bellanca, “We have seen remarkable collaborations occur between our college and information technology business leaders throughout Southeast Michigan. A great example is with Quicken Loans. I’m delighted to note that over the past several years, Quicken Loans has hired WCC students in full-time, internship, and contract positions. We are grateful for the support of companies who give our students priceless, hands-on experience, and valuable skills that can be used for a lifetime.”

IGNITE has met its original goals – providing over 200 students with the skills and credentials for IT careers, and developing a sustainable model for community college programs beyond IT.

With enrollment declining in many community colleges – largely in response to improving economic conditions and increased employment – WCC has been able to maintain enrollment. This is due in part to programs such as IGNITE, which spearheaded a greater use of online programming not just in information technology, but in many departments. Enrollment is up 25 percent for online programs and 18 percent for blended learning programs.

As Peter Baccile, Senior Director for Online Learning at WCC said, “A lot of innovation dies at the end of a grant, but the IGNITE program has laid the foundation for increased innovation at Washtenaw Community College.”