Lumps of Coal or Stockings Full of Gifts?

Information technology executives are hoping Congress will be more nice than naughty as it wraps up this session's legislative business, although they say it is still unclear which way lawmakers will lean on several issues of keen interest to the IT community.

Computer Training Program Gives Young Offenders a Second Chance

A new technology training program in California has given Jessica, 18, and Lauren, 17, hope for a better life. The teen-agers live and study at Camp Joseph Scott, a facility for youthful offenders in Los Angeles County. The 4-month-old program, spearheaded by a Covansys Corp. manager, is funded with state and local dollars and supported by a network of public- and private-sector organizations. Jessica and Lauren will be its first graduates.

TRW Washington Operations Taps Roman

Former Boeing Co. executive George Roman will succeed Phillip Odeen as the company's executive vice president for Washington operations.

State, Local Governments Still Seriously Lack IT Workers

Most state and local governments continue to suffer a critical shortage of qualified information technology staff, despite the economic slowdown that has brought mass layoffs in the technology industry, according to research firm Gartner Inc.

ITAA Nominates Austin to Host World IT Congress

The Texas capital was named the U.S. candidate to host the World Congress on Information Technology in 2006.

E-learning Firm Blackboard Inc. Forms Government Group

Blackboard Inc. has formed a Government Solutions Group to serve federal, state and local agencies in their efforts to train current employees and attract others.

Compliance Office: Congress Should Follow Section 508

The federal Office of Compliance is recommending that Section 508 regulations apply to Congress as well as to federal agencies.

Workplace Briefs

Government Work Becomes Fashionable ... Legislation Would Expand Investment Advice Offered to Workers ... Employers Cutting Bonuses, Delaying Raises

Computer Training Program Gives Young Offenders a Second Chance

A new technology training program in California has given Jessica, 18, and Lauren, 17, hope for a better life. The teen-agers live and study at Camp Joseph Scott, a facility for youthful offenders in Los Angeles County.

ON THE JOB

The Immigration and Naturalization Service this month announced that it approved 163,200 H-1B visa applications against the 195,000 cap for fiscal 2001, which ended Sept. 30. U.S. employers file the applications for skilled foreign workers, many of whom have in-demand technology skills.

No Recession for Cybersecurity

With the demand for cybersecurity professionals outstripping supply, high-tech companies and government agencies are using innovative programs to recruit and train workers with specialized skills in information security.

OMB Releases Outsourcing List

The Office of Management and Budget released this year's second list of government jobs that are not inherently governmental and could be performed by contractors under the 1998 Federal Activities and Inventory Reform Act.

Governments Embrace Idea of CRM, But Not Reality

A new global study says government executives have a long way to go in making customer relationship management a reality.

Workplace Briefs

H-IB Visa Cap Unmet in 2001 ? Workers Re-evaluate Careers after Sept. 11 ? E-Learning Spending Down at Some Firms.

U.S. Military Support Provider to be Acquired by U.K. Counterpart

Griffin Services Inc. of Atlanta has agreed to be acquired by Vosper Thornycroft Holdings plc in a cash transaction worth up to $31 million.

Army Launches Online Info Portal

The Army has launched a new Intranet portal that will direct personalized information to all personnel.

Lieberman Wants $1B for IT in Stimulus Package

Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., has proposed that the money would be spent on IT projects that will enhance homeland and information security.

Lawmakers Grapple With IT Issues

As U.S. lawmakers take up a raft of bills affecting the information technology industry, anthrax scares and the temporary closing of congressional offices have exacerbated the normal confusion that accompanies the legislative process.

Talent War

Information technology contractors say it is becoming increasingly difficult to fill job openings that require high-level government security clearances, despite a flood of new applicants.

Reserve Call-Up Makes for Workplace Uncertainty

The call-up of National Guard and armed forces reservists is creating dilemmas for government contractors. They must figure out how to cover for workers called to duty, what level of benefits and salary to provide the workers while they are away, and how to plan for their return ? all without knowing how long the reservists will be gone. If Chris Samulski, a 27-year-old senior software engineer, expects his tour of duty would last six months to a year if he is called up.