To remain competitive, the U.S. must close the qualification gap between the knowledge and skills needed in the information and technology based workplace, and the current level of preparation of the workforce. The globalization of markets and industries together with the rapid development of technology have created a workplace where, increasingly, knowledge and technology are the key ingredients that must be combined to ensure the successful development and marketing of products and services. The shift to an economy and a workplace based more on information and knowledge implies a higher level of technical and foundation skills in the workforce. Once the primary concern of software companies and computer manufacturers, the IT skill shortage now affects virtually every manufacturing an service industry as these segments of the economy increasingly employ technology in their operations. E-business and e-commerce will generate additional need for skilled information tech workers an for increased technological literacy among all workers. The Northwest Center for Emerging Technologies (NWCET) at Bellevue Community College updated the IT Skill Standards to address these needs.

A five-phase process was undertaken to update the Skill Standards:

1) Focus groups were held in multiple geographic locations across the U.S. to get feedback from IT professionals on the first version of the IT Skill Standards.
2) Based on that feedback, draft standards for version two, The Millennium Edition, were developed.
3) Extensive interviews were held with IT professionals in each concentration to update the critical work functions, key activities, performance indicators, occupational technical skills and academic and employability skills.
4) Two new concentrations were added, and focus groups were held to develop the Skill Standards for those concentrations.
5) Final draft standards were reviewed by a panel of senior experts in the field.

Eight job clusters were identified:

Database Development and Administration Critical Work Functions: Analyze and Design Database; Develop and Implement Database; Performance Administration and Maintenance; Performance Security Admin; Provide Client Services.

Digital Media Critical Work Functions:
Performance Analysis; Produce Visual and Functional Design; Perform Media production and Acquisition; Implement and Test Design Enterprise

Systems Analysis and Integration Critical Work Functions:
A) Define Customer Requirements; B) Determine Systems Solutions; C) Provide Strategic Direction for Systems Configuration and Inter-Operability; C) Provide High-level Technology Management; E) Implement Systems.

Network Design and Administration Critical Work Functions:
A) Performance Analysis/Design; B) Perform Configuration/Implementation; C) Perform Testing; D) Performance Monitoring and Management; E) Perform Administration and Maintenance.

Programming/Software Engineering Critical Work Functions:
A) Perform Analysis; B) Develop Structure; C) Design/Develop Program; D) Implement Program; E) Test Program; F) Validate Program; G) Release Product.

Technical Support Critical Work Functions:
A) Perform Troubleshooting; B) Provide Facilitation and Customer Service; C) Perform hardware and Software Installation, Configuration and Upgrades; D) Perform System Operations, Monitoring and Maintenance.

Technical Writing Critical Work Functions:
A) Analyze Project Requirements; B) Performance Research; C) Design Document; D) Development and Write Document; E) Publish and Package.

Web Development and Administration Critical Work Functions:
A) Performance Content and Technical Analysis; B) Develop Web Applications/Sites; C) Implement Application/Site Design; D) Maintain Applications; E) Manage Web Environment; F) Manage Enterprise-wide Web Activities.

To order copies of Skill Standards for Information Technology Millennium Edition: www.nwcet.org nwinfo@bcc.ctc.edu Bellevue Community College Bookstore 3000 Landerholm Circle SE, B127 Bellevue WA 98007 Fax: 425-564-2482

Note to Educators: The American Association of Community Colleges is the sole academic distributor of Building a Foundation for Tomorrow: Skill Standards for Information Technology. Educators are encouraged occupational/technical order the Millennium Edition directly from AACC at www. aacc.nche.edu/books/bookstore. Certification examinations based on the IT Skill Standards have been developed by The Chauncey Group International www.chauncey.com in association with NWCET. Known as the Associate Technology Specialist Programs, these certifications form the first industry-wide, vendor-neutral certification program for IT candidates or individuals. Visit www.eassessment.com . An individual may earn the Associate Technology Specialist designation in one or several different career clusters. Successful completion of the Core Skills Test and the tests designed specifically for the cluster are required for certification. The Core Skills Test includes assessment of information technology basics, problem-solving and project management processes, basic writing skills, and fundamental applied math an statistics. The goal of the Core Skills Test is to measure the foundation skills that are common to al of the career clusters. The Career Clusters in the certification program are the same as the 8 career clusters in the Skill Standards. For additional information on the Associate Technology Specialist assessments, contact The Chauncey Group International at 800-258-4914 or atsp@chauncey.com.