Carroll Technology & Innovation Council

In today’s rapidly evolving economy, keeping up with the speed of innovation means investing in a workforce ready to meet unique challenges and opportunities. Carroll County is at the forefront of aligning talent development with industry needs, ensuring that businesses have access to skilled, adaptable workers prepared to drive success in high-demand fields like healthcare, construction, transportation, and manufacturing. Apprenticeships are a cornerstone of this effort—a proven “learn and earn” model that empowers businesses to cultivate talent tailored to their specific needs while providing apprentices with valuable hands-on experience and career growth. With 194 active apprentices collaborating with 11 local employers, these programs are unlocking potential and fueling innovation across industries. That's why we are recognizing #NationalApprenticeshipWeek (November 17–23, 2024) to celebrate the power of apprenticeships to bridge the gap between education and employment, creating sustainable solutions for businesses and job seekers alike. Apprenticeships allow employers to train emerging talent in real-world environments, ensuring employees are prepared to meet organizational demands while fostering long-term loyalty and growth. If you're an employer ready to future-proof your workforce, the Carroll Technology & Innovation Council (CTIC) offers the tools and resources to help you succeed. From workforce grants to innovative hiring strategies, CTIC can help your organization harness emerging talent and thrive in an ever-changing market. Join us in building a resilient, innovative workforce—one opportunity at a time. Article written by CTIC Executive Director Molly Sherman.

Join us to 'tech the halls' at CTIC's festive holiday bash! Bring some chili, play some CTIC Trivia, enjoy some corn bread, and gather around the fire as we celebrate the season. Please save the date and RSVP.

Is Your Workforce Ready for the Future? Whether you're looking to attract new talent, prepare for innovation, or adapt to a changing workforce, the Workforce Roadshow has the answers you need! Learn how apprenticeships can be the key to unlocking new talent and building a sustainable pipeline for your business. Why Attend? ?? Networking: Meet local businesses, workforce leaders, and training providers who are using apprenticeships to stay ahead.?? ?? Panel Discussions: Hear from Maryland Department of Labor reps, industry leaders, and local employers about how apprenticeships can fuel growth, innovation, and workforce adaptability.?? ?? Explore macworkforce.org: Learn about a centralized resource to help your business tap into state and industry support for apprenticeships. Date: Tuesday, Oct 29, 2024 Time: 9:00 am-11am Location: Hagerstown Community College, Career Programs Building (210-214) ?? Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insight and support for your workforce strategy.?? ??? Secure your spot today! → https://lnkd.in/e35v4BcZ #WorkforceReady #TalentPipeline #MarylandEmployers #Apprenticeships #BusinessGrowth #Innovation #WorkforceDevelopment #MACWorkforce #Employers #HiringSolutions #FutureSkills

?? Happy Digital Inclusion Week! ?? At Carroll Technology & Innovation Council, we believe that digital inclusion is key to unlocking workforce and community development. From gaining access to critical resources to developing new skills, everyone deserves the tools to thrive in today's digital world. ?? We also recognize that business resiliency hinges on this inclusion. By upskilling employees and preparing for a future shaped by artificial intelligence, companies not only stay competitive but also ensure long-term success in an ever-evolving marketplace. ?? Above all, this week we celebrate technology’s power to inspire curiosity and foster growth. Let’s encourage everyone to explore, ask questions, and embrace new possibilities. Together, we can build a community that’s ready for the future. Celebrate with us this week!? - On Tuesday and Thursday, we’re reaching Class 4 of the Senior Planet Chromebook Essentials course at the South Carroll Senior Center.?? - Our Technology Training Lab has regular hours where anyone can make a free appointment to work on digital skills and explore AI with one of our trainers.?? - Wednesday is Tech Fest, a celebration of technology at Westminster City Park from 4:30 - 7:00pm, featuring drones, virtual reality, AI, music, and food!?? - Thursday at 8:30am, join us for Understanding AI: How it works and why for businesses at the Carroll Nonprofit Center. Join us in championing digital inclusion and driving innovation! ?? #DigitalInclusion #WorkforceDevelopment #AI #TechInnovation

Join us at Maryland IT Solutions, hosted by Board Member Cory Ditzel, on October 3rd from 4 pm to 6 pm. Connect with members of the Carroll Technology and Innovation Council, learn about digital equity efforts in Carroll, get up to speed on apprenticeship and talent pipeline opportunities, and hear about our artificial intelligence programming for members. Current and interested members are welcome to attend! Refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP on the CTIC website.

Broadband workforce discussions often focus on “starting early” by recruiting high school students. But while such programs are critically important, by themselves they won’t be nearly enough to solve the industry’s workforce challenges. A major reason: The number of people graduating from U.S. high schools is widely predicted to begin shrinking in 2026, due to a smaller population of teenagers. Employers will soon be competing for an ever-smaller number of new graduates. Broadband employers need to act now to create on-ramps into the industry for working adults who want to change careers or upskill into a higher-level broadband occupation. Below are practical steps employers can take. Check out this piece by Amanda Bergson-Shilcock at the National Skills Coalition at Broadband Breakfast: https://lnkd.in/gjprFdMx

At the end of last month we celebrated the impact of American Connextion Corps members, Jack Bayne and Diana Flores, during their year of service. Their dedication and hard work advanced digital equity and built capacity within our organization, county, and state. With their efforts, we were the distributing partner for the Maryland Connected Devices grant to Carroll County, MD, an allotment of 5,000 Chromebook computers for low-income Carroll County residents. We continued to distribute computers to veterans. We complimented improvements in technology access with digital skills support, teaching from Senior Planet and North Star digital literacy curricula, developing and delivering our own workshops, and launching 1:1 digital skills tutoring. We convened the Carroll Digital Equity Coalition. And, we made stronger commitments to, and metrics for, engaging with digital equity and workforce development in the year ahead. They will be serving for a second year at CTIC. Their continued commitment will enable us to further partnerships and digital inclusion work in our communities and across the region. Thank you for your creativity, dedication, and resilience, Jack and Diana. #AmericanConnectionCorps #DigitalEquity

Maryland Apprenticeship Connector (MAC) is partnering with CTEWorkforce (CTE) to launch a high school-level Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) in Maryland! This initiative aims to bridge the gap between education and meaningful careers, offering students hands-on experience in key industries such as cybersecurity, IT, and healthcare. “Across the country, and especially here in Maryland, we’re seeing significant workforce shortages,” said Chris Abell, cofounder and IT Lead at MAC. “Our initiative is about opening doors for the next generation to rewarding careers through valuable apprenticeships.” Echoing this, Bobby Keener, CEO at CTEWorkforce, stated, “By pooling our resources and expertise, we can effectively tackle the urgent need for skilled professionals. Together with MAC, we are poised to make a significant impact on Maryland’s workforce development by creating career pathways for high school students.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/ex9cfJXw #WorkforceDevelopment #Apprenticeship #MarylandCareers #CTE #MAC

Join us at BierBath on June 13 for an unforgettable experience of beer baths and unbeatable Carroll County connections! BierBath is the ultimate destination for beer lovers, offering over 30 different craft beers on tap and in bottles from microbreweries across the U.S. Dive into new-age ideas while immersed in the age-old tradition of beer bathing. Unlock insights into Maryland's apprenticeship ecosystem and learn about our new DE Lab for Digital Skills. Engage with the impactful work CTIC is doing in digital equity and discover how you can help empower our community with essential technology tools and skills. Don't miss this unique opportunity to connect, learn, and have fun. We look forward to seeing you there!

We have a great opportunity approaching for residents and businesses alike to dispose of their used electronics, safely and securely. Join us and the Robo-Lions on June 15th at Liberty High School or reach out to arrange an earlier time to drop off your tech at our office. Thanks Electronics Value Recovery, Inc. for making this possible. At our last collection, we heard a lot of "where has this been?" and we're grateful to be able to bring this programming to Carroll County, MD. EVR's Truvaughn Ebanks will be there to educate and facilitate the collection.