Information Communication Technologies & Digital Media Sector Team

Business Applications Software


There are more than 200,000 jobs available for office professionals in California each year. These jobs span many different industries, giving students the opportunity to work in a field that interests them. Educators prepare students with the latest business technology skills and industry certifications they need to get hired in an entry-level position or promote in their current job.

The Business Information Worker (BIW) pathway was developed with employer input and teaches the top skills needed by businesses that employ office professionals. Three pathway stages teach entry-level to advanced administrative skills and prepare students to obtain related industry certifications.

Labor Market Assessment

There is a need for colleges to increase enrollment to meet the demand for office professionals across the state.

Recruitment and retention of students in computer applications/business technology classes can be enhanced by the approaches listed below.

Demand Statewide (Job Openings):

278,700

Estimated Headcount in BIW Courses:

108,752




North/Sacramento Region



Bay Region



Central Region



Los Angeles Region



Orange County Region



South Central Coast Region



San Diego Region



Inland Empire/Desert Region

LATEST NEWS


That BBQ Question!

That BBQ Question!

It’s that time of year again. You are at a BBQ and a niece or nephew asks you, “Are there courses I could take that would really help me get a job? …in six months?” Well, you are the professional workforce development expert, right?  And this...

by May 31, 2021 No Comments

Start or Expand Your BIW Program


Here are resources to help you start or expand the Business Information Worker program on your campus.

BUSINESS INFORMATION WORKER C-ID


The Academic Senate for the California Community Colleges has endorsed the BIW pathway and recently finalized 22 new descriptors for Office Technology and Business Information Worker. Campuses may now submit courses for C-ID review to determine comparability.

In addition, the faculty discipline review group finalized three Model Curricula for the discipline: a 12-unit BIW Quick Start Certificate, 18-unit BIW I Certificate of Achievement and 30-unit BIW II Certificate of Achievement.

View the C-ID/BIW Crosswalk here

View the Model Curricula and Final Descriptors here


BUSINESS INFORMATION WORKER COHORTS


While many students are currently enrolled in courses aligned with the BIW pathway, most of them don’t know it. Without learning of the pathway’s value to their future employment and without support for their efforts, these students may not continue and represent part of the 70% of California Community College students who only stay in school for less than a year.

The ICT-Digital Media Sector team has worked with several colleges to build BIW student cohorts. This effort has resulted in a greater number of students completing the pathway with sustainable community-based cohort support.

Instructors and administrators are encouraged to contact their local Deputy Sector Navigator to learn more about developing a BIW cohort on campus.

BIW Cohort Resource Guide
BIW Outreach Strategies

Cohort Toolkit Ideas

Sample Landing Page

BUSINESS INFORMATION WORKER COLLATERAL


BIW Trifold for Students
BIW Flyer for Students
Digital Badge Poster

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT


BIW Cross-Disciplinary Certificates at College of the Desert

Watch our recent ICT Educator Webinar to learn how Instructor Pablo Romero at College of the Desert has taken their Business Information Worker program to a new level.  Learn how he helped to create 3 new cross-disciplinary Business Information Specialist certificates – Legal Office Specialist, Marketing Specialist and Medical Office Specialist – and how COD secured an internship for students in the Medical Office Specialist program.

Watch Here

PROGRAM TRENDS AND RESOURCES



Biggest Misconceptions about Administrative Professionals BIW Outreach Strategies

Most Rewarding Part of Being an Administrative Professional

Top 10 Interview Tips

 

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We Can Help

Contact the ICT-DM Regional Director in your region for customized support and regional expertise.

 

Contact the Domain Owner: [email protected]

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