GridForce: a comprehensive model for improving the technical preparedness of our workforce for the Grid

An enormous challenge when the Internet matured into a mainstream technology was meeting the information technology workforce needs in a competitive business environment. In anticipation of a similar scenario for upcoming Grid technology we are in the process of implementing a comprehensive multi-tier NSF-supported adaptation of Grid technology in education. The project addresses the abovementioned challenge at three important levels of our educational system: the undergraduate, the graduate and the industrial training. Our Grid technology-based curriculum has been developed for a sequence of two new courses for senior level undergraduates. Some courses would be taught at the graduate level with emphasis on research. Additionally, seminars are planned for spreading Grid awareness to the local businesses and industries by using domain-dependent Grid applications. This work presents the details of the model we call GridForce (Grid For Research Collaboration and Education) and our experiences with its implementation, with the objective of improving the technical preparedness of the workforce for the Grid.