From the Northeast Ohio Information Technology Workforce Report, 2007, commissioned by Nortech

• The Information Technology (IT) Workforce is Sizable
  There are an estimated 96,000 IT professionals employed in Northeast Ohio.

• Most IT departments are small. Only 21% of companies had IT departments with 10 or more employees.

• The most common IT professionals are: Business Application Specialists (31% of IT
  workforce), Programmers (13% of IT workforce), Network Specialists (7% of workforce), and Information Systems Analysts (5% of workforce).

• The system of higher education is not producing enough graduates to keep pace with
  employer demand for professional workers.

• Overall investment in training and development of IT workers is low in Northeast Ohio. One-third of all companies dedicate no portion of their IT budget for worker training while one-half allocate anywhere from 1-2% for staff training. World class levels of investment are assumed at 3% or more.

• About one in four employers are interested in joining forces with other employers to provide feedback to area colleges on important skill sets for IT graduates.

• Enrollment is lower than it was 5-6 years ago (i.e., 674 students enrolled in 2000/01 compared to only 230 students in 2006/
  07) but production of graduates is similar to what it was in 2000/01 (i.e., 46 graduates in 2000/01, 46 in 2005/06, and 44 in 2006/07). Fewer students are enrolling in technical support programs but community colleges are doing a better job of graduating those who are enrolled.

• Employer demand for technical support professionals is far greater than what Northeast Ohio’s system of higher education is producing. At the time the employer survey was conducted there were 74 job openings for technical support representatives (outside) and 668 openings for help desk personnel.

What are 21st Century Skills?

Core Subjects and 21st Century Themes, according to The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (p 13)

Core Subjects
• English, reading or language arts
• World languages
• Arts
• Mathematics
• Economics
• Science
• Geography
• History
• Government and civics

21st Century Themes
• Global awareness
• Financial, economic, business and entrepreneurial literacy
• Civic literacy
• Health literacy

Learning and Innovation Skills
• Creativity and innovation skills
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Communication and collaboration skills

Information, Media and Technology Skills
• Information literacy
• Media literacy
• ICT (information andcommunications technology)literacy

Life and Career Skills
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Initiative and self-direction
• Social and cross-cultural skills
• Productivity and accountability
• Leadership and responsibility

Top Labor Market Needs -- by Growth Rate, Percent Change

The following is a list of the predicted top opportunities for job seekers through 2014 in Northeast Ohio (from the Ohio Workforce Informer). In terms of education as career preparation, these jobs require a range of degrees, from Associate to Master. These jobs reflect the predicted growth of Northeast Ohio into a biotechnology and healthcare center.

Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts
Computer Software Engineers, Applications
Home Health Aides
Medical Assistants
Physician Assistants
Computer Software Engineers, Systems Software
Database Administrators
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Physical Therapist Assistants

To see the Ohio Workforce Inquiry table here

Chris Dede et al. address these changing workforce needs and what it means in today's economy. Theirs is a national view, but I think that it pertains to the issues affecting Cleveland and Norhteast Ohio.

"In this rapidly changing global and local environment, schools face the challenge of preparing students for the global economy. Schools must anticipate the changes in desired workforce skills and knowledge that are occurring and revise their curriculum, facilities, technology infrastructure and usage, and teacher professional development accordingly. The rapid pace necessary for these essential shifts conflicts with the ordinary, gradual processes of change in schools. The traditional nature of schooling—with semester-based scheduling; slow changes in curriculum; and limited, reluctant acquisition of technology—are examples of the conflict between the high speed of external changes and the glacial nature of school innovation processes. An additional, related challenge facing schools is the networking and information flow with the business, workforce training, and economic development sectors. Schools often are at the margins of communications among these groups. "

21st Century Skills

From the 21st Century Skills, Education & Competitiveness Resource and Policy Guide

Our ability to compete as a nation—and for states, regions and
communities to attract growth industries and create jobs—demands a
fresh approach to public education. We need to recognize that a 21st
century education is the bedrock of competitiveness—the engine, not
simply an input, of the economy.

And we need to act accordingly: Every aspect of our education
system—preK–12, postsecondary and adult education, after-school and youth development, workforce development and training, and teacher preparation programs—must be aligned to prepare citizens with the 21st century skills they need to compete.

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My take:
It is easy to find information about he importance of bringing technology and associated 21st century skills into K-12 classrooms. What is not as easy to find is information on best pratcices for revamping higher education curricula to integrate 21st century skills into core programs and particular areas of study. Yes, everyone should know how to use a computer in this day and age, but genuine 21st century skill competency is much more than that. Yes, STEM education needs to be increased because these disciplines will shape the future economic success of our nation and of our Northeast Ohio region, but STEM education does not and should not replace liberal arts, business, or other professional studies.

So where are the best practices for integrating 21st century skills into college classrooms, into education, liberal arts, business, philosophy and other degree programs?

Colgate's strategic plan for implementing 21st Century Skills is here