IT Workforce Development
IT Workforce Development includes internal programs, strategies and reforms that empower the state’s IT workforce to increase ability to modernize government processes, systems, solutions and services while reducing over reliance on third-party consultants where cost-effective.
External efforts involve the establishment of flexible programs to attract and retain individuals possessing modern IT disciplines to fill service and skill gaps within the state’s IT operations, building outreach campaigns to recruit candidates from non-traditional sectors, and continuing to develop internship and apprenticeship programs to expose government opportunities to high school graduates as well as two-year and four-year degree program participants.
Workforce Development Programs:
- New baseline assessment – Identifies areas within ETS where employee development programs could be built.
- Civil Service IT Broadbanding Pilot Project – In partnership with Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD), the program updates the current IT position classification system that is more than 40 years old, inflexible, complex, labor intensive, and unresponsive to changing needs, particularly as it relates to IT positions. Re-describing state IT positions to more appropriately match modern technologies and processes will further ongoing efforts to hire and retain IT personnel and expand career path opportunities for public sector workers.
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Hawaii Annual Code Challenge (HACC) – Engages the local tech community in government modernization and expose individuals within Hawaii’s IT workforce to state career opportunities. In its inaugural event in 2016, approximately 220 coders and innovators attended the kickoff for the month-long competition, answering the call to apply their collective creativity to improving state government. Twenty-seven teams presented solutions at the HACC judging and awards event a month later, with solutions tackling homelessness and jail facility visitation receiving top honors. The HACC continues to be held each year to focus on current State department challenges requiring a new approach using technology innovation.
- Transformation Internship Program (TIP) – Supports IT workforce development efforts, entering into partnerships with the University of Hawaii system and Hawaii Pacific University to create on-the-job-training opportunities. The program was re-calibrated for the 2016 summer session to provide a project-based learning experience where IT students from various universities were onboarded to plan and assist with execution of the State’s first-ever HACC event. Internship opportunities continue to be coordinated with the university information technology and management information system programs.
- Training – Expanded focus on providing a multitude of learning opportunities to current and new employees throughout the executive branch. Training sessions have been made available to employees for voluntary participation where individuals may update their skills on common applications, such as Office 365 and SharePoint tools, among others.
Resources