The Digital Infrastructure Industry faces a human capital deficit and the Nomad Futurist Foundation collaborates with school districts to demystify the backbone of the digital world. This session will introduce this unique partnership between Nomad Futurist Foundation, industry partners, and participating schools that introduces students to career pathways such as AI, operations, engineering, sales/marketing, real estate, law, investing, research analytics, etc. Members of the Nomad Futurist Foundation and Lynette Gillson, PhD, representing Mountain View Los Altos Union HSD (MVLA), will discuss the creation of programs that align with CTE pathways and represent the Work Based Learning spectrum ranging from speakers, to company visits, to planned implementation of internship programs. The work with MVLA is a prototype for Nomad Futurist’s vision that is expected to be implemented nationally through Nomad’s collaborative work with various organizations to provide school districts with the afore-mentioned WBL activities. In addition, this work focuses on equity and inclusion by encouraging outreach to student groups such as AVID or other programs that serve historically underrepresented students to increase their exposure to careers and possible interest in CTE pathways. The audience will leave with an understanding of the Digital Infrastructure Industry and how students can fill the human capital deficit, and the opportunity to engage with Nomad Futurist Foundation for collaborative Work Based Learning programs. There is also opportunity for industry leaders to engage to find out how they can come together within a partnership to work with schools, address students, and grow their pipeline to future employees.
