Information Technology Toolkit

Community Leadership/IT Planning

Intellectual Infrastructure

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Applications

Toolkit Committee

Success Stories

• Roving Computer Lab In Northeast Nebraska
• AIM Institute
• ESU 10's Regional Cisco Networking Academy
• Central Community College
  
  

Related TANgents articles:

• IT committee provides educational opportunities:  Box Butte County IT Committee offers computer loan program, e-commerce classes and IT Web site (Winter 2003/2004)

• Nebraska Library Commission sponsors community technology fairs:  Wireless mobile network enables Commission to take training to Nebraska Libraries (Winter 2003/2004)

Roving Computer Lab In Northeast Nebraska

With a grant from the Nebraska Information Technology Commission's Community Technology Fund, a roving computer lab was established to provide hands-on instruction in Northeast Nebraska. There have been 800 class participants yielding 2100 hours of instruction. Both numbers of hours of instruction and fees generated have already exceeded the amount anticipated at the awarding of the grant.

Classes have included: Basic Computer, Windows 95 and advanced Windows Classes, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Data Basis, Farm and Household Financial Records, and Internet Classes.   Partners in the grant included the University of Nebraska Extension Service, Northeast Nebraska RC&D, Bloomfield School and Northeast Nebraska ComNet.

Local hosts have made it possible for computer classes to be offered in a community near the clientele. Librarians in ten communities have hosted classes. Extension Offices in six counties and the RC&D office have hosted classes. Local Chamber of Commerce, banks, and community groups have sponsored classes.

Internet connection has been provided free of charge by Internet providers. Classes have also been held at the schools, utilizing their computers. Computers have been used for training specific audiences, including library staff and NRCS secretarial staff.

Evaluations of classes are extremely positive. Almost all of the participants are positive about the class and the instruction. They also indicate they are more knowledgeable at the end of the program than at the beginning. Locations that have used the computers, want to schedule them in the future. The program has generated small business opportunities for several instructors. Many of the participants are utilizing the knowledge in a work situation. Several are using it to enhance their job skills for seeking employment. 

For more information, contact Sandy Preston, University of Nebraska Extension Knox County, (402) 288-4224, spreston2@unl.edu or Barb Hoffart, Northeast RC&D, (402) 582-4866, Barb.Hoffart@ne.usda.gov .

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AIM Institute

The Applied Information Management Institute (AIM) is a membership organization supporting and promoting Omaha and Nebraska business growth related to Information Technology.  AIM was created in 1992 as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation.  Membership includes:

• Corporate members that provide financial support--both in cash and in-kind
• Academic members
• Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce
• Nebraska Department of Economic Development

AIM was created following several studies addressing continued economic development for the Greater Omaha area.  These studies had one common theme --Information Technology is key to future economic development.  AIM's structure, governance, and mission arose from these studies.

AIM's focus is in four major areas:

• Curriculum - What firms want in new graduates sometimes differs from what local colleges and universities are graduating.
• Continuing Education - Attracting speakers with national and international reputations to Omaha/Nebraska.
• Applied Research - Research focusing on community business needs and requirements.
• Labor Availability - Information Technology professionals are probably the most limiting factor affecting business growth in the region.

AIM has held over 100 seminars and workshops in Omaha and other parts of Nebraska. AIM staff members also participate on numerous academic advisory committees.  AIM research has supported several colleges' and universities' development of new curriculums.  AIM also created the annual IT Technology Celebration banquet and helped bring a community focus to an array of IT issues.

The limited availability of IT professionals was recognized as perhaps the greatest barrier to corporate growth.  AIM developed an internship program that was funded by a 1995 grant from the US Department of Education grant (AIM’s first grant).  The primary grant objective was the development of an “electronic market” that resides on the Internet for college interns.  The grant specified that the service must become self-funded so the service could be provided after the two-year grant period expired. Today, this free service to employers and intern applicants helps place hundreds of interns annually.  This internship service is a part of CareerLink that has over 400 Nebraska employers posting job openings.

AIM documented the demand for 1,500 to 2,000 new IT employees annually, based upon internal growth rates by Greater Omaha employers.  Meanwhile, all the colleges and universities in the Nebraska were graduating less than one-third that number of IT graduates per year.  These findings lead to more research into the pipeline of high school students enrolling into IT degree programs.  This research became the basis for numerous AIM grants and programs targeting high school IT curriculum, student and teacher awareness of IT careers, School to Career programs, etc.  The deliverables from these grant-funded programs have become the content for a family of web-based services for public schools across Nebraska.  This strategy provides services specified by the grant long after grant funding runs out.

AIM has become increasingly involved across the state.  AIM staff members have testified before the Nebraska Unicameral and US House of Representatives Subcommittees about IT labor availability and educational issues.  AIM has:

• Helped rural schools write grants.
• Become a Cisco regional academy with local Cisco academies across Nebraska and Iowa high schools and colleges.
• Provided CareerLink, Schoolink, OpportunityLink and LearnLink services to Greater Nebraska firms and schools.
• Partnered with UNL to develop an E-Business curriculum.
• Published a book "IN DEMAND - 15 Reasons to Consider IT as a Career" for Nebraska Junior High and High School students.

AIM staff has been asked many times, "What must we do to develop this kind of economic development organization in our community? Below are some thoughts to consider:

Participate in similar professional groups. Learn the dynamics of professional organizations so you will be prepared to make your new venture work.

Set concrete goals. Invite your fellow members to contribute toward your group blueprint. Then be sure to follow that same blueprint.

Be selective. Look not only for prominent organizations, but also for representatives within those group who can contribute to your group. You may find some of the best individuals are in organizations that are relatively small.

Consider chemistry. The participating members need to be people who can work together toward common goals.

Remember your purpose. The purpose is to improve the climate for business growth in your community. It is the business that is the engine of growth for any community.  Finally, if members focus too exclusively on their own interests, the purpose of your group is defeated.

For more information, contact Bob Sweeney,  AIM Institute, (402) 345-5025 ext. 101, bob@omaha.org .

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ESU 10 Cisco Regional Academy--Kearney, Nebraska

The Cisco Networking Academy Program has proven to be a very successful program for ESU 10 and its service area.  The Academy Program prepares students for 21st Century jobs by teaching them to design, build, and maintain computer networks.  The skills that Academy students and graduates gain through the instructor-led, web-based curriculum and hands-on laboratory exercises are well recognized.

Currently ESU 10 serves as the Regional Academy for the following institutions: 

• Anselmo-Merna Public Schools
• Aurora Public Schools
• Centura Public Schools
• Cozad City Schools)
• Grand Island Northwest High
• Grand Island Senior High
• Kearney High School
• Lexington Public Schools
• Ord Public Schools
• Central Community College
• Mid-Plains Community College
• Telecommunications Management Degree Program at the University of Nebraska at Kearney

There are over 250 K-12 and post-secondary students enrolled in these local academies.  A list of other Nebraska schools and educational providers can be found at http://cisco.netacad.net/cnacs/pub-doc/locator.shtml.  

To find out more about this program contact Alan Wibbels at ESU 10 (308.865.5664 ext. 232 or awibbels@esu10.org) or go to http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/779/edu/academy/.

The Cisco Networking Academy Program worldwide:

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Central Community College

Central Community College has responded to the needs of the communities it serves with a variety of courses and workshops. Central Community College has provided introductory computer workshops to 917 individuals in 28 communities, advanced computer training to 1,435 individuals in 24 communities, and Internet training to 411 individuals in 22 communities from January through October, 2001.   Central Community College also delivers over 60 hour per week of credit courses to 45 communities through NEB*SAT,T-1, digital, and analog with interactive connectivity. 

In order to provide computer training outside its campuses, Central Community College Computer training is provided using a mobile lab, 

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If you would like to suggest a success story, please e-mail abyers@notes.state.ne.us

12/23/2003