From shopping togardening

Cultivating the next generation of

Software Technologists

Tony Devlin – July 11th 2012

Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 2

……and 50 Billion Connections

…..7 Billion People

Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 3OSS : Operator support system

Ericsson Oss

50 BILLION CONNECTIONS

ONE OSS

COMPLEX NETWORKS

SIMPLE MANAGEMENT

Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 5 ATHLONE, IRELAND

Product Development Unit oss

c. 1000Software

Engineers

Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 6

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 7

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 8

The Maths Problem - where do they all go to…?

6,522Grade A-C at Higher Level

4,285Grade A at

Ordinary Level

+

54,000Maths

Students 2nd Level

19%

15%

20%27%

19%Science, Eng. & Tech.

Business

Health

Arts/Social Science

All Others

First Preference Choices for Level 8 Courses

2,0531st Year Science,

Eng. & Tech.Students

Year 1 Drop Out Rate = 27%

Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 9

And what do we get at the end…………..?

Undergraduate Stream

Post Graduates & Converters

Intense RecruitmentCompetition

Not yet“work ready”

Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 10

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)

butThe best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago

Dambisa Moyo

(Zambian economist)

…..and the second best time is now !

September

15th 2011

INFUSE

(INvesting in FUture Software Engineers)

A new program for PDU OSS in Ireland

Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 12

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 13

Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths

› We need to encourage uptake & retention at all these levels

STEM…

it allbegins atPrimary Level !

Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 14

A Response in 4 Streams

S.T.E.M. Conference 2012 & National Science Competition

Ericsson Study Days & CPD*(Transition Year Students & 2nd Level Teachers)

*Continuing Professional Development

etc…..

“Creating Experts”MSc & PhD Sponsorships

MSc in Applied Software Technology(commencing September 2011)

Masters

Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 15

National Science Competition

3 Categories• Junior (3rd & 4th Classes)• Senior (5th & 6th Classes)• Special Needs

185 Schools216 Projects

Regional & National Finals

c. 5000active participants

Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 16

NSC ProjectsMiddle Category

1st Stokane NS, Enniscrone Farm Safety

2nd Scoil Naisunta Inis Mean Staidéar an ar Aimsir (in Inis Meáin i rith an Gheimhridh)

3rd Scoil Mhuire GNS, Lucan We Dig Earthworms

Senior Category

1st Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada, Tullamore Bees v Wasps (the true story)

2nd Scoil Niamh Fiachra, Freshford Digital Robotic Theme Park

3rd Ardnagrath NS, Walderstown The Perfect Breakfast

Special Needs Category

1st Central Remedial Clinic, Dublin The Science of the Wheelchair

2nd St Michael’s School, Castlerea Our School Garden

3rd St Brigid’s NS, Mullingar Changes In the Canal Throughthe Seasons

Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 17

Things we learned

Spending time with the participants

Keeping them busy !

Feeding them

Mol an óige,

agus tiocfaidh siad

Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 18

STEM Conference

• 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

• Carol-Lynn Parente, Producer, Sesame Street • Brought to You by the Letters S.T.E.M.

STEMConference

Midland Maths Camp

(JUMP)

Focus Group(Gallen Community

School)

Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 19

Trending (briefly) on twitter

Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 20

STUDY Day - Development

16 week course inScratch Programming

48 Students + Teachers

› The Study Day – Ericsson & Telecoms– OSS & the Software Engineer– Programming Practice– Visualization Demo– Test Plant visit– Telepresence experience

Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 21

Study day - Delivery • Focus on Transition Year• Involve Maths Teachers• Involve Career Guidance Teachers

StandardAgenda

Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 22

A Response in 4 Streams

S.T.E.M. Conference 2012 & National Science Competition

Ericsson Study Days & CPD*(Transition Year Students & 2nd Level Teachers)

*Continuing Professional Development

etc…..

“Creating Experts”MSc & PhD Sponsorships

MSc in Applied Software Technology(commencing September 2011)

Masters

Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 23

It Begins with US (doesn’t it always ?)

› “They Should…………”

Ericsson Internal | 2012-07-06 | Page 24

Message to the 1,000

!!!

Core cohort of 50 “INFUSERS” in active support…