Information and Communication Technologies
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) career pathways prepare students for the digitalized workplace by equipping them with high demand, high wage skills and competencies that will make them leaders in their chosen careers.Description
ICT is an umbrella term used to encompass both those technologies formerly known collectively as Information Technology and more recent technologies, specializations, and concepts such as Cyber Security, the Internet of Things (IoT), Software Development, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI); Virtual Reality (VR); and Augmented Reality (AR); as well as those technologies not yet named. The ICT industry sector stands out as one of the top opportunities for students with jobs projected to increase by 27 percent, making the ICT industry sector the fastest growing career cluster through 2018. The ICT industry sector meets national criteria for high demand, high wages, and high skills and is reported to be the driving force of innovation behind the efficiency initiatives in all career clusters.
ICT careers are divided into four pathways:
- Information Support and Services–the foundation of all successful business organizations today.
- Networking–for careers that involve network analysis, planning, and implementation, including the design, installation, maintenance, and management of network systems.
- Software and Systems Development–for careers related to computer science that involve software programs to satisfy the operational needs of modern business organizations.
- Games and Simulations–to prepare for careers that require a solid foundational understanding of game design, hardware, graphics, and animation.
Resources
- CTE Standards Introduction (PDF; 4MB)
- Model CTE Standards for the Information and Communication Technologies Sector (PDF; 4MB)
- Standards for Career Ready Practice (PDF)
- Cyber Guild
– (Formerly known as “Cyber Hub”) California’s central hub for cyber competitions, cyber education and training, and cyber careers. - Computer Science Hub & Summer of CS – Located at Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) – education and training for ICT teachers wishing to integrate the new Computer Science Standards with the ICT model curriculum standards.
- CTE and STEM Teaching Credentials
– Need information about a teaching credential in ICT or Computer Science? The Commission on Teacher Credentialing has information for obtaining teaching credentials in these areas and for transitioning from industry to teaching.
- National Institute for Cyber Education (NICE)
for national standards on cyber education and workforce development:.
- Common Sense Ed
– Teacher reviewed open source learning materials on digital citizenship, media literacy, student digital profile guidance and teacher professional development.
- Free Code Camp
for programming and ICT skills building.
- Artificial Intelligence for All
and Artificial Intelligence for K–12
- Data Science
–UCLA Center X introduction to Data Science.
- If you would like to receive ICT industry sector updates via e-mail notification, subscribe to the ICT Sector Update listserve by sending a "blank" message to join-information-technology-sector-update@mlist.cde.ca.gov.
- If you would like to unsubscribe from the ICT Sector Update listserve, send a "blank" message to unsubscribe-information-technology-sector-update@mlist.cde.ca.gov.
Contact Information
Erle Hall, Education Programs Consultant
Career Technical Education Leadership Office
Career and College Transition Division
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Suite 4202
Sacramento, CA 95814