Corporations and governments all across the U.S. face an enormous challenge in workforce development. A "perfect storm" brews as trends heavily indicate that the demand will outstrip the supply of I.T. professionals in the very near future.

Factors such as the loss of jobs offshore have taken a tremendous toll on current U.S. technology professionals, as well as those considering I.T. careers. Colleges and universities have seen a steep decline in enrollment in technology programs by as much as 70% on a nationwide basis. While unemployment among business-technology professionals has fallen to a decade low in 2007, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics still estimates that the number of new I.T. jobs will increase at more than twice the rate of total new jobs between 2004 and 2014 (30.5 percent versus 13 percent), accounting for 1 in 19 new openings and adding a million new workers.

Future workforce initiatives have gained even more importance now more than ever as CIO’s must worry most about attracting, developing, and retaining I.T. professionals according to a recent survey of 130 CIO’s and senior I.T. executives. Information Week reported that organizations will face significant knowledge loss because of retirement over the coming decade, and that by 2010, 40 percent of the U.S. workforce will be able to retire. Over the next 15 years, 70 million will exit the workforce while only 40 million enter.

Cook Systems International is again on the forefront changing this dynamic with the CollegeCareerCorps®. An acclaimed partnership that began with Cook Systems International, the University of Memphis, and the FedEx Institute of Technology, is offering students an opportunity to participate in a real-world technology apprenticeship to fit them for the demands they will find in the U.S. technology workforce. The CollegeCareerCorps® is now partnered with over 20 colleges and universities nationwide and offers client partners the ability to build a better-trained workforce while still receiving I.T. solutions work at a lower price.

With the deep academic outreach into America's best colleges and universities, Cook Systems International's CollegeCareerCorps® is a cost-effective way to build tomorrow's leaders today.

Workforce Development Benefits provided by the CollegeCareerCorps®: Gets Real Work Done at Globally Cost-Effective Rates Deeper and Wider Recruiting Arm Better Trained Students