IBM and Columbia University are set to groom the next generation of workers in the emerging green economy through an initiative called the “Smarter Cities Skills Initiative.” The two innovation powerhouses have joined forces to engage students in becoming part of a global movement that is transforming aging urban infrastructure into a more energy efficient, sustainable mode of operation.
The initiative kicks off on Earth Day with a free public forum at Columbia called Smarter Students for a Smarter Planet, which brings 150 other schools around the globe to the table through a webcast. The focus will be on combining IBM’s technology resources and Columbia’s academic programs including business, law and engineering, to prepare students to enter a job market with growing opportunities in creating more sustainable buildings, electricity grids, and transportation.