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Partners setting up digital skills site [The Register-Guard, Eugene, Ore.](Register-Guard (Eugene, OR) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Oct. 22--A new partnership is setting up a "Digital Dojo" in downtown Eugene aimed at providing computer skills to students and building a skilled workforce for the growing cluster of local tech companies. The project will have its public kickoff on Nov. 18 with an open house at the Lane Community College Downtown Center. The Digital Dojo is being set up by LCC, the Eugene School District and the city of Eugene, with help from employees of local tech firms. The city will provide $50,000 of telecommunications funds aimed at digital mentoring. The stated goal of the dojo -- a term commonly used to refer to Japanese martial arts schools -- is to "help students to creatively work with computer technology as a tool for solving problems and to understand the relevance of computer science and its impact on society in a fun, interactive environment." Organizers said the Digital Dojo will offer a host of computer science-related educational opportunities, including free weekly workshops teaching coding skills. The Digital Dojo "is an investment in education for today's students, and economic development for employers, entrepreneurs and employees in the future," said Nan Laurence, a senior planner with the city. "It will help us strengthen the creative and technical skills needed to build a highly qualified and flexible workforce in the expanding software employment cluster and retain and grow high-tech businesses in our region," Laurence said. At least a dozen computer industry employees will participate in the project, which also will employ computer science faculty, organizers said. It is aimed at middle and high school students with the goal of creating an interest in the computer field early in their school careers. Professionals in the local tech and startup communities are already expressing interest in the new project. Among the "dojo jedi" who have signed up online to attend the open house are Joe Maruschak, a tech entrepreneur who now heads the Eugene branch of the Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network, and Cale McCollough, an electronics engineer and software developer who founded a local startup, Blue Storm Engineering. LCC President Mary Spilde said in a written statement that she anticipates the project will build "skills, knowledge and confidence in the youth involved, leading them into the high-demand, high-wage occupations of the computer science industry." "The community will benefit by keeping the employers in the region and the industry will benefit by having skilled employees," Spilde said. The project can accommodate approximately 800 students over the course of the 2014-15 school year, organizers said. Beginning in November, youth will be able to sign up online for sessions in advance. Follow Ilene on Twitter @ialeshire . Email [email protected] . DIGITAL DOJO OPEN HOUSE When: 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 18 Where: Lane Community College Downtown Center, 101 W. 10th Ave. To attend: Advance registration required at bit.ly/1vKyoiQ ___ (c)2014 The Register-Guard (Eugene, Ore.) Visit The Register-Guard (Eugene, Ore.) at www.registerguard.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |