Program Needs Assessment Results

Business/Finance/IT
Fall 2017 Program Needs Assessment

September 19, 2017

Goal: Document local business and industry needs from representative sample of our local community

Focus:
 Types of entry-level positions available in the community
 Use/types of employment tests for entry-level positions
 Technical skills critical to success of entry-level workers
 Software used by business
 Soft-skills essential to employee success

Response Goal: At least 25 business and industry representatives

A Huge “Thank You” to those who participated:

1. AppTouch
2. Brambles
3. Community Risk Advisors
4. Craig Long, LLC
5. Cruser Mitchell
6. Edward Jones Investments
7. EVERFI
8. TAPSNAP
9. Georgia Department of Labor
10. GraBird Software Development, Inc.
11. Interactive Technologies, Inc.
12. MDSi Inc
13. NCR
14. OnePoint Techologies, Inc.
15. OneSource Business Solutions, LLC
16. PrideStaff
17. Scientific Games
18. SEMS Technologies, LLC
19. Siemens
20. System Envy
21. The UPS Store
22. T-Mobile
23. University of North Georgia (Post-Secondary Education)
24. Vikas Sah (Individual)
25. ZCorum

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Approximate Number of Full-Time
Employees

33

2

111 11111111111111

Approximate Number of Part-Time
Employees

44

2222
111111111

Minimum Educational Requirement for
Entry-level Positions

WE EMPLOY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. 7

POST-SECONDARY CERTIFICATION REQUIRED 1

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR GED 9

4-YEAR DEGREE 6

2-YEAR DEGREE 2

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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Types of Entry-Level Positions:

 Billing, accounts payable/receivable, administrative/secretarial, some internships
 Support
 Coding positions
 Admissions Officer/Recruiter
 Marketing, Engineering, Supply Chain, IT Hardware
 Branch Office Administrator/Financial Advisors
 Schools Manager, Administrative Assistants, Interns, Program Coordinators, Lead Generation
 Sales / Admin
 not sure if any
 Receptionist
 Intern\Customer Service
 Assembly, Shipping, Troubleshooting, Tech-Support, Order Fulfillment
 Software developers
 Intern, P/T project work
 na
 Engineering and Factory
 Recruiting Assistant
 Internships
 Real Estate Closer/Admin
 Clerical, Sales, Customer service, Implementation
 1099
 Because of the fast nature of my business, I mainly hire people with experience.
 Internships / Job shadowing
 Sales Associates
 n/a

Use/Types of Pre-Employment Tests:

 9 Responses - None
 3 Responses - General Computer Skills
 2 Responses - Unknown
 2 Responses - Varies
 2 Responses - Background Check & Drug Testing
 Basic Coding Test
 Security Licenses/Extensive Firm Training
 Interview
 Demonstrated programming skills
 Personality Assessment, Computer Skills Assessments
 Professional/Cognitive tests
 Depending on the position; developers and network engineers may require to prove basic skills upon interview.

For example, network engineers must be able to subnet/cidr at a minimum.

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Industry Certifications Required for Entry-Level Positions:

 15 Responses – None
 2 Responses - Unknown
 Series 7 & 66 Licensing
 Insurance and / or securities licenses
 varies
 Would love any SAP or PMP certifications
 n/a, but certifications always a plus
 Software team: Basic understanding of Software Development Cycle
 Diploma

 Depending on the position, but certifications are desirable from major OEM such as Cisco, VMware as well as

training partners such as CompTia

Technical Skills Critical for Entry-Level Workers:

 None
 Computer skills
 Computer network knowledge
 Coding skills
 Microsoft products, internet, social media
 Knowledge of IT Networking solutions
 Typing, Software Proficiency, Organizational Skills,
 Excel, Salesforce, Email correspondence
 Computer, Math, Conceptual
 varies
 MS Office\excel\email\communication skills
 Basic electronics knowledge, basic hand tools, basic computer skills
 Java
 Experience with C@ or C++, Visual Studio, Adobe Graphics Tools
 Electrical Assembly
 CRM experience, database searching, social media
 PowerPoint, Word, Excel
 computer skills/data entry/math/customer service/professionalism
 Technology Savvy
 PC Computer Skills, Photography Skills, Photo Shop
 understanding of online business (marketing, sales funnels, etc) and social media
 Software team: Ability to read and write code in one or more programming language.
 Lifting 50 lb
 I look for industry certified. Industry certifications can provide a 'foot in the door' when experience is lacking.

Additionally, the IT industry is changing and no one person is singular focused; such as, an IT Engineer must
understand networking, computing systems, operating systems, and storage systems.
 n/a

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Soft Skills Essential to Employee Success:

 Customer service and relationship management, ability to work independently and as part of a team
 Support skills
 Mature and motivated
 Communication skills (oral and written), professionalism
 Communication, Collaboration, Team Player
 Social Skills, Character, Adaptability, Leadership
 Typing, time management, cold calling, building relationships, confidence, public speaking
 Communications, Work Ethic,
 Ten soft skills standards /GeorgiaBest
 Verbal and written communication skills
 listening and good verbal communication\organized
 Organized, self-starting, good interpersonal skills, focus on quality
 Good communication with team members and working as a team
 Must be a self-starter, self-directed desire for success. If a student is not doing programming beyond school

work, just for their own curiosity and interest, I don't consider them serious about this as a career. I sometimes
need interns for short-term projects and pay very well. But work is done on student's own equipment and
software, and is project based. I provide project requirements, help get them started, but then they are on their
own to deliver results on a timely manner, with some guidance as needed. So the student must be self-
motivated and want to deliver results they are proud of.
 n/a
 Interpersonal Communication and Collaboration
 Cold calling, phone skills, interpersonal skills
 Team work, an inquisitive attitude, drive to succeed, capability to identify opportunities
 customer service/professional/take direction/friendly
 The ability to interact with colleagues, customers, and prospects
 Must be able to interact very will with people and able to lift 50 lbs.
 A positive, can-do attitude, great customer service, someone who takes initiative, asks questions, and is willing
to try to figure things out.
 Communication, team player, conflict management
 Graphic Design
 n/a

Software Applications Primarily Used by Your Business/Organization:

 4 Responses – Microsoft Office
 Microsoft Office products, TABS3
 In-house Java apps running on Linux
 Microsoft Office, Google Apps, several programming languages and development tools required for software

development
 Microsoft Office, Hobson's CRM, specialized products for higher ed.
 Microsoft suite of products and internally developed tools
 Proprietary

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 Excel, Salesforce, PPT
 Microsoft Office, Social Media, various industry specific packages
 GDOL has its own software /Microsoft
 Apple Mac, Pages/Numbers/Keynote, Evernote, Slack, Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), FileMaker
 Visual Studio 2010+, Dreamweaver, Adobe Creative (Photoshop, Illustrator)
 na
 SAP and Microsoft Products
 MS Office, CRM, Recruiting tools
 Microsoft Office/SoftPro
 MS office, Zoho CRM, Graphics a plus
 MS Operating System, MS Office, DSLR Camera
 Office, Facebook Power Editor and Business Manager, Instagram, Canva, Photoshop, Basecamp, Asana, Slack
 Office 365, Java, C# and several others
 Microsoft, Adobe CS5
 Office 365, VMware Suite of products (vCenter, ESXi, NSX, etc)...

How may Forsyth County Schools better prepare students for your future workforce?

 Soft skills training, professional standards for interaction, wardrobe, work ethic
 Good communication skills with knowledge of networks and Java apps
 Coding skills are critical
 Assist them in developing their critical thinking skills and help them become more independent.
 Communications - grammar, spelling, etc. Social media has resulted in extremely poor writing skills in young

people.
 Teach life skills. Balancing checkbook, budget, understanding interest and dangers of debt, advantages of saving

vs. borrowing. Business entrepreneurship skills vs working for someone else.
 Personal finance knowledge, Career Readiness
 Teach personal financial concepts, work ethic, conceptual math skills
 Teaching soft skills and persuading students to attend Technical College as well. There are demands for

employees with technical skills such as welding, machinist, automobile mechanics, engineers, etc.
 By teaching the art of verbal communication and customer service, and reminding students that technology isn't

the only means of communication.
 Have good speaking skills\spreadsheet use and critical thinking should not be a surprise
 We're looking for technically minded students who have a passion to learn our business and are excited to work

with us.
 all high schools
 I am disappointed that students do not get any exposure to Visual Studio, even for web site development.

Dreamweaver is good for basic concepts, but generally outdated. The Visual Studio platform is FREE to students,
and now even includes Mac app development tools. Any student wanting to pursue a career in I.T. NEEDS to be
familiar with the Visual Studio environment in HS. Waiting until college is already too late.
 Prepare them in AI/Machine Learning skills
 Internships with Manufacturing Management and Engineering Teams
 Design the curriculum to develop better interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
 Happy to provide internships to students, particularly with an interest in Information Systems or Computer
Science

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 Being receptive to direction/learning - proficient computer skills - courtesy
 Reintroduce Shop class. Doesn't help me but....
 Customer Service skills, MS operating & office products skills, photography skills
 I believe STEM classes, coding, and other digital knowledge courses are super important. I read recently that

only 6% of women graduate in a STEM field. To me, that's a shame. I have a lot of fun doing what I do. I also
think that business and entrepreneurial skills will benefit students so much. It's now easier than ever to start a
business, but it takes a bit of know-how (and courage) to scale a business.
 In the "Day in the life of a Software Engineer", writing code is only 20%. It is more about understanding the
need of the consumer, and designing a product that is sustainable long term. Code review process within each
team is very intense where the code can be reviewed by more than one senior developer. entry-level
Developers are required to defend their design. Students need more coaching from a communication
prospective -> not just written communication but rather be able to verbally communicate as well. My
recommendation would be while grading students project more focus should be given to the how the students
arrived at a design, the quality of the code.
 Computer Skills and Decline
 Hard to answer; technology changes much faster than its adoption. However, work ethics are most important
IMHO as technology and its usage can be taught.

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