Tech Valley is expected to attract high tech industries, especially nanotechnology firms, in coming years. For the study, CGR:
- Identified industry groups that are now in, or are likely candidates to come into, the region
- Reviewed U.S. Department of Labor job classifications for companies in these industries, and also projections for the skills and related courses required to work in these jobs
- Developed a list of desired academic courses
- Compared current district offerings to the desired list
- Compared current high tech course offerings with job growth projections
- Identified gaps and made recommendations.
CGR also completed a second study that looked more closely at the technical competencies and “soft skills” required for workplace success. Particular attention was given to identifying ways for the districts and BOCES to collaboratively prepare students for success in the economic and business environment of the 21st century. |