Digital apprenticeships ... metaversity thing

[indiebio]

During a recent OMI community meeting, we discussed several challenges:

• Burn out of volunteers, from not seeing the value of their work, not feeling valued.
• Not seeing enough volunteers, enough contributors.
  Some potential causes of this was discussed:
• the continual challenge of visibility and having coherent projects to contribute to
• high barrier of entry for people who do not have the necessary skillsets, and the long time to gain those skills,
• the type of skills gained are often gappy, the older generation who learnt to tinker and take things apart thought in a different way, that way of thinking is getting lost. (some Ubuntu working groups have been said to increase their average age by one every year - aka they are getting older and no new people are joining, and the recent backdoor drama highlighted how critical infrastructure rely on volunteers with niche skillsets)

We then spoke of stepping back, looking at it from a further distance to try to see how pieces of the puzzle fit together.

Thinking of a skills pipeline rather than a lock-in or black hole. sort of like apprenticeships. Combined beast consisting of video libraries, some structured learning, some structured mentorships, some shadowing ... what would the metrics be? How to measure success?

What is out there regarding digital apprenticeships?

This could be a fundable idea - e.g. by the Linux foundation, could be contributed by Debian, to get more skills in, of the complex sort that is currently ageing out. Can brand it as a metaverse mentorship thing.

Library in world where the books link to resources - videos or pdfs or websites ... styled like the Blockbuster video thing maybe.

Projects can also include contributing to guides, documentation, content - jin is starting something like this up

Needs to include the very very basics of digital literacy - what is an email, what is a computer, perhaps the most basic courses are free, and then more complex can be audited and accredited. Work with existing places and have thematic tracks - don't reinvent the wheel.
Thematic tracks link to existing groups. E.g. get involvement from webXR, glTF, Blender etc etc etc.

Brand the initiative as part of a metaverse thing, so all the things that is involved in the metaverse - content, VR, but also network infrastructure, cloud stuff, all the things (perhaps look at the OMF categories). Projects can perhaps all be tied to an in-world project like the metaverse festival we thought about.

Perhaps the MSF and other standards organisations can contribute courses and learnings that would be relevant to their groups, and volunteer mentorships, similar to the google summer of code. This would advertise these groups and hopefully get students in.

[indiebio]

TODO: What is out there regarding digital apprenticeships? What organisations exist, and what gaps are there?

[indiebio]

skills pipeline as opposed to cookie cutter, or automating. Producing more actionable hands. Skills pipeline as opposed to black box. Teach the teacher. "A rising tide lifts all boats". Apprenticeships is one vantage point that is less specific about tangible results than it is about building skills and a way of thinking that can carry the industry.

[indiebio]

Where there is expertise, or a flow of expertise. Where they are emerging in, say, the metaverse, it does not seem documented yet. There are willing minds, and an opportunity to connect the dots and share what we are learning. Apprenticeships do not require up front blue printing. Can learn as we go and imprint as we go along. Different and complementary to online courses and accreditation. Something casual and in-between things can fit better in a rapidly changing world.

[indiebio]

mrmetaverse: past experience, real world learning,
from employers perspective: everybody wins. new opportunities emerge through these interactions. Activating potential.
"harvest" the cream of the crop, the tenacity of people who are hanging in there for the long haul.

[indiebio]

ChatGPT reply to query (thanks knev)

Digital Apprenticeships Initiative Pitch Aligned with The Linux Foundation Principles

Introduction:

In addressing the challenges faced by our community, including volunteer burnout and a high barrier to entry for new contributors, we recognize the need to realign our strategies with the core principles of The Linux Foundation. These include fostering innovation through open collaboration, promoting inclusivity, and developing sustainable ecosystems that support the freedom to innovate.

Proposed Solution: Digital Apprenticeships Initiative

We propose the Digital Apprenticeships Initiative, a strategic response designed to nurture talent, engage community members, and strengthen the open-source ecosystem, closely mirroring The Linux Foundation’s mission to build sustainable communities.

Components of the Initiative:

1. Open Collaboration and Learning:

   • Video Libraries and Structured Learning: Openly accessible educational resources will ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, can learn and contribute. This promotes the Linux Foundation's commitment to inclusivity and education.
   • Contributory Projects: Encourage participants to contribute to open-source projects, enhancing the ecosystem and embodying the spirit of collaboration championed by The Linux Foundation.

2. Mentorship and Community Building:

   • Structured Mentorships and Shadowing Opportunities: Mentorship from experienced professionals will not only transfer knowledge but also embed new contributors within the community, fostering a collaborative environment.

3. Recognition and Accreditation:

   • Accreditation and Progression: Offer pathways for learning that are recognized formally within the industry, encouraging continued professional development in line with The Linux Foundation’s emphasis on career advancement through open-source contributions.

4. Specialized Tracks for Emerging Technologies:

   • Thematic Tracks: By partnering with established groups and leveraging cutting-edge technologies, we support The Linux Foundation's goal of driving innovation in new technology areas.

5. Inclusive and Engaging Branding:

   • Integration with the Metaverse: Aligning the initiative with forward-looking projects such as the metaverse festival links learning to exciting, real-world applications, appealing to a diverse range of participants and ensuring that the initiative remains relevant and engaging.

Metrics and Success Measurement:

Our success will be measured against key performance indicators that reflect the principles of The Linux Foundation:

• Engagement and Diversity: Tracking engagement levels across diverse demographic groups to ensure inclusivity.
• Skill Development: Assessing the improvement in skill levels before and after the initiative to measure educational impact.
• Community Growth: Monitoring the increase in active contributors and mentorship roles filled within the community.

Conclusion:

The Digital Apprenticeships Initiative is designed not only to solve the challenges of today but also to build a robust foundation for the future. By aligning with The Linux Foundation's principles, we ensure that our efforts in education and community engagement contribute to a vibrant, inclusive, and innovative open-source ecosystem. This initiative will empower individuals, enhance our community, and promote sustainable open-source development.