Workforce and People

The state’s chief information officer will serve through Dec. 31, the state said in announcing her retirement. Gov. Andy Beshear picked her to lead the Commonwealth Office of Technology at the start of his first term.

After more than four years in his position as state CIO, Tracy Barnes is preparing for his January departure, when a new governor will take the reins from Gov. Eric Holcomb. Barnes has been with the state nearly a decade.

A public community college in North Carolina will put a $5 million federal grant toward transforming a warehouse into a skilled trades center with programs in fields such as HVAC and construction.

Justine Tran, recently named technology leader, served as deputy CIO for the city of Dallas for nearly four years. She brings with her years of technology work in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

The state CIO, who is also secretary of the North Carolina Department of Information Technology, will retire Dec. 31. State Attorney General Josh Stein, who was elected governor Nov. 5, has reportedly nominated a successor.

To make well-paying careers more accessible to those without four-year degrees, Gov. Gavin Newsom this week unveiled a California Master Plan for Career Education to encourage work-based learning and workforce training.

A new data system in Washington, D.C., will track student outcomes from preschool through post-secondary education and employment, potentially informing decisions by parents, employers and community partners.

Elevated to lead state technology in October 2018, Dedmon is a nearly 20-year state staffer and former deputy CIO. Her recent work has included guiding a refresh of the unemployment insurance system.

Artificial intelligence may have been the topic on many minds this year, but cybersecurity and risk management topped NASCIO’s annual list of the top 10 priorities for state CIOs. AI did, however, rise to second place this year.

A need for skilled workforce development and technical training in Central Texas has prompted the college system to expand to a 12th campus, which will likely host programs in advanced manufacturing technology.

Many organizations have incorporated technology into their hiring processes. The Center for Democracy and Technology studied how one hiring technology — digitized assessments — impacts job seekers with disabilities.

John Toney, the state’s chief information security officer, has been appointed a visiting fellow by the National Security Institute. Through this position, he will learn from cyber execs, building his knowledge to better serve Vermonters.

For all the uncertainties of the near future, such as what industries and job titles will exist in the years ahead, experts are convinced artificial intelligence will continue driving change in work and education.

A bill awaiting Gov. Mike DeWine's signature would support the career-technical workforce by allowing teachers to be certified through coursework and local professional development or a two-year mentoring program.

Census data shows that the number of city residents 25 and older with a bachelor's degree in science and engineering fields nearly doubled from 106,000 in 2010 to 207,000 in 2023.

He takes over for Reenie Askew, who had held the job since 2019. Charlotte has recently won recognition for its technology leadership, and Storay brings both city and federal experience to his new job.

The 10-year-old supplier of compensation, pension and financial forecasting data is reporting national growth as public agencies face mounting challenges with hiring and retention of top tech talent.

Denver appointed a new chief information security officer, Merlin Namuth, in October. He is building relationships as the foundation for a people-centered approach to cybersecurity in the city and county.