Next Generation HPC Workforce Development: The Computer System, Cluster, and Networking Summer Institute

Abstract

Sustainable and effective computing infrastructure depends critically on the skills and expertise of domain scientists and committed and well trained advanced computing professionals. Unlike computing hardware, with a typical lifetime of a few years, the human infrastructure of technical skills and expertise in operating, maintaining, and evolving advanced computing systems and technology has a lifetime of decades [1]. Given that the effective operation and use of High Performance Computing systems requires specialized and often advanced training, that there is a recognized High Performance Computing skillset gap, and that there is intense global competition for computing talent, there is a long-standing and critical need for innovative approaches to help bridge the gap and create a well-prepared, next generation High Performance Computing workforce. This paper places this need in the context of the HPC work and workforce need at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and presents one such innovative program conceived to address the need, bridge the gap, and grow an High Performance Computing workforce pipeline at LANL. The Computer System, Cluster, and Networking Summer Institute (CSCNSI) completed its tenth year in 2016. The paper presents an overview of the CSCNSI and a summary of impact and success, as well as key factors that have enabled that success.