From shopping to
gardening
Cultivating the next generation of
Software Technologists
Tony Devlin – July 11th 2012
…..7 Billion People
……and 50 Billion Connections
Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 2
Ericsson Oss
OSS : Operator support system
Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 3
50 BILLION
CONNECTIONS
ONE OSS
COMPLEX NETWORKS
SIMPLE MANAGEMENT
Product Development Unit oss
c. 1000
Software
Engineers
Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 5
ATHLONE, IRELAND
But…..there are Problems
on the supply side
› Growth of the Knowledge Economy is vital for Ireland, and for us…..
Sustainability
› ….and it’s all about People
Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 6
Today’s Landscape
Insufficient “output” from 3rd
Level
Graduates (typically) not “work
ready”
Competition in the recruitment
market
We need a more Targeted
approach
Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 7
The Maths Problem where do they all go to…?
54,000
Maths
Students
First Preference Choices for Level 8 Courses
2nd
Level
19%
19%
Science, Eng. & Tech.
Business
15%
27%
20%
4,285
Grade A at
Ordinary Level
Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 8
Arts/Social Science
All Others
6,522
Grade A-C at
Higher Level
+
Health
2,053
1st Year Science,
Eng. & Tech.
Students
Year 1 Drop Out
Rate = 27%
And what do we get at the
end…………..?
Undergraduate
Stream
Post Graduates
& Converters
Intense Recruitment
Competition
Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 9
Not yet
“work ready”
This is a multi-faceted
Problem
› Irish Government policy is to increase technology based
employment via
– IDA funding for jobs & innovation
– Funding for Educational initiatives (all levels)
– Preferential options (Additional Points for HL Maths, Project Maths)
but
The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago
Dambisa Moyo
(Zambian economist)
…..and the second best time is now !
Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 10
INFUSE
(INvesting in FUture
Software Engineers)
A new program for PDU OSS in Ireland
September
15th 2011
a multi-faceted Problem &
a Multi faceted Response
› If you don’t sow then it’s difficult to harvest…….
› So, we need to start early…………..
Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 12
Science, Technology,
Engineering & Maths
STEM…
it all
begins at
Primary
Level !
› We need to encourage uptake & retention at all these
levels
Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 13
A Response in 4
Streams
etc…..
S.T.E.M. Conference 2012
& National Science Competition
“Creating Experts”
MSc & PhD Sponsorships
Masters
Ericsson Study Days & CPD*
(Transition Year Students
& 2nd Level Teachers)
*Continuing Professional Development
Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 14
MSc in Applied Software Technology
(commencing September 2011)
National Science
Competition
3 Categories
• Junior (3rd & 4th Classes)
• Senior (5th & 6th Classes)
• Special Needs
185 Schools
216 Projects
c. 5000
active participants
Regional & National Finals
Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 15
NSC Projects
Middle Category
1st
2nd
Stokane NS, Enniscrone
Scoil Naisunta Inis Mean
3rd
Scoil Mhuire GNS, Lucan
Farm Safety
Staidéar an ar Aimsir
(in Inis Meáin i rith an Gheimhridh)
We Dig Earthworms
Senior Category
1st
2nd
3rd
Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada, Tullamore
Scoil Niamh Fiachra, Freshford
Ardnagrath NS, Walderstown
Bees v Wasps (the true story)
Digital Robotic Theme Park
The Perfect Breakfast
Special Needs Category
1st
2nd
3rd
Central Remedial Clinic, Dublin
St Michael’s School, Castlerea
St Brigid’s NS, Mullingar
Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 16
The Science of the Wheelchair
Our School Garden
Changes In the Canal Through
the Seasons
Things we learned
Mol an óige,
agus tiocfaidh siad
Spending time with
the participants
Keeping them busy !
Feeding them
Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 17
STEM Conference
Midland Maths
Camp
(JUMP)
STEM
Conference
Focus Group
(Gallen Community
School)
• Fergal O'Brien (RCSI)
• Biomaterials and Stem Cell Technology in Tissue
Engineering & Regenerative Medicine.”
• Marc Watson (TEQ Games)
• STEM: Inspiring and Engaging the Teen Generation
• Ward Van Duffel (LEGO® Education Europe)
• Inspiring creativity and interest in STEM subjects.
• Leena Gade, Chief Race Engineer, Audi Sport
• Engineering to Win
Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 18
• Carol-Lynn Parente, Producer, Sesame Street
• Brought to You by the Letters S.T.E.M.
Trending (briefly) on twitter
Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 19
STUDY Day - Development
16 week course in
Scratch Programming
› The Study Day
–
–
–
–
–
–
Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 20
Ericsson & Telecoms
OSS & the Software Engineer
Programming Practice
Visualization Demo
Test Plant visit
Telepresence experience
48 Students
+ Teachers
Study day - Delivery
• Focus on Transition Year
• Involve Maths Teachers
• Involve Career Guidance Teachers
Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 21
Standard
Agenda
A Response in 4
Streams
etc…..
S.T.E.M. Conference 2012
& National Science Competition
“Creating Experts”
MSc & PhD Sponsorships
Masters
Ericsson Study Days & CPD*
(Transition Year Students
& 2nd Level Teachers)
*Continuing Professional Development
Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 22
MSc in Applied Software Technology
(commencing September 2011)
It Begins with US
(doesn’t it always ?)
› “They Should…………”
Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 23
Message to the 1,000
!!!
Core cohort of 50 “INFUSERS” in active support…
Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 24