December 2021 Tech Upload
NEW Digital News
Thank You Alliance Members
The NEW Digital Alliance would like to welcome Associated Bank as an Executive Level Investor! We greatly appreciate their support. To learn more about Associated Bank, click here.
Alliance News:
It’s hard to believe that it’s already December, and the busy holiday season is upon us. As we wind down the year, I’d like to take this time to thank all of our investors who make the work we do possible. Check out our January newsletter to learn about how your investments are making a difference in Northeast Wisconsin!
NEW Connect IT
In November, volunteers from NEW Digital Alliance investors and local colleges connected with over 300 high school students as part of the NEW Connect IT event series. Students heard learned about college pathways, as heard from panelists about high-demand careers in tech fields such as data analytics, cyber security, programming, and more. They also learned about the value of a college degree when seeking employment in a tech-related area, and had the opportunity to ask local IT professionals about their careers.
Thank you to all our volunteers from:
- EDCi
- Faith technologies
- Heartland Business Systems
- J. Keller
- KI
- Stellar Blue
- Thrivent
- FVTC
- MPTC
- NWTC
- UW GB
- UW Oshkosh
Your efforts are making a difference in the lives of our youth!
Cybersecurity Roundtable
In October we launched our Cybersecurity Roundtable. Our next meeting will be on December 16 at 8:00 where we will be discussing the world of cyber insurance. We will be bringing in a guest speaker from M3 Insurance to share changes in the cyber insurance process, and let us know what we can expect this coming year.
Future topics will include security frameworks, developing a cybersecurity team, C-suite/board cyber education, and understanding attack tactics.
This discussion group is open to cybersecurity leaders from our investor companies and is designed to:
- Help regional cyber leaders connect and build a local network they can reach out to for support
- Share cybersecurity hiring, skills & training needs, tool usage, best practices, and the latest threats
- Learn about local resources to help them and their teams
The Cybersecurity Roundtable will meet every other month in a hybrid format. To learn how you can take part in the discussions, contact NEW Digital Alliance Director, Kim Iversen, at Kim@newDigitalAlliance.org.
Computer Science Teacher Licensure Cohort
On November 30 NEW Digital Alliance investors Plexus, Secura, Community First Credit Union, and Smart IShosted teachers from across the state for an IT Shop Hop. This event was open to teachers in the CS Teacher Licensure cohort, as well as local teachers already holding their CS license.
Seventeen teachers joined Alliance director Kim Iversen, and CSTEY Coordinator Amy Bires on an all-day adventure visiting local companies and talking with IT leaders. CIOs and their teams shared some of their challenges in finding IT resources, as well as which roles are hardest to fill. They also spoke to the fact that IT is an area of lifelong learning, and as a result look for individuals with good soft skills and passion – they’ll teach you the rest!
The teachers thought it was a fantastic day, and went home full of new knowledge to share with their students.
Looking to the Future
This week is CS Education week. Reach out to your local schools to see how you can help teachers and students learn more about IT careers.
In January NEW Digital Alliance Executive Committee will be gathering for our annual strategy session. We look forward to sharing the exciting new things 2022 will bring.
The NEW Digital Alliance team wishes you and yours a safe and happy Holiday Season!
Unemployment Updates
Updated data for September was not yet available at the time of publication.
National unemployment rates for November have returned to pre-pandemic levels, hovering around 4.2%. Demand for talent in Wisconsin continues to remain higher than national demand, as reflected in the lower unemployment rate of 3.2% for October vs. the national rate of 4.6% for the same month (state-level data is not yet available for November).
Tech unemployment continues to remain below the 3% seen in January 2020, despite an increase to 2.6% in November.
Data Sources: CompTia IT Employment Tracker, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and New North IntelTracker
Regional News
Help Recognize a Deserving Engineer!
Engineer of the Year Award & Young Engineer of the Year Award
The STEM Forward Engineer of the Year Award and the Young Engineer of the Year Award has been presented annually since 1953 to outstanding contributors to the engineering profession from the greater Milwaukee area. Past winners have helped raise the visibility of the profession and the region while serving as role models to many. We are pleased to announce that the nominations are now open!
There are many branches of engineering, including biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental, and mechanical, software engineer, and hundreds of different subcategories of engineering under each branch. We encourage engineers from all disciplines to apply!
ELIGIBILITY
- The nominee lives within the Milwaukee 7 (seven counties of southeastern Wisconsin) and/or regularly commutes to and works at a location within the Milwaukee 7 regions for at least five years. Note – the nominee may be a retiree.
- Engineers in professional practice or academia are eligible for the award.
- The Young Engineer of the Year Award nominee must be under 40 years old on December 31, 2021.
We have simplified the nomination form this year, so please click here and submit a nomination or a few nominations and send 1 to 3 letters of recommendation for each nominee by December 19, 2021.
Volunteer Fox Cities
Volunteer Fox Cities is starting a new program that is focused on technology education for older adults!
We are seeking tech-savvy trainers to assist older adults with learning technology, such as iPads and tablets to connect with family and friends – learn how to order their groceries or take an online exercise class. The trainer position will work one-on-one with older adults on their electronic devices to help them achieve their goals. This is a flexible, contract position, 10 hrs./week at $19/hr. Having understanding and compassion for older adults is a plus.