ACM TechNews

Yes, the Tech Skills Shortage Is Real

InformationWeek (01/12/08) Luftman, Jerry; Kempaiah, Rajkumar; Bullen, Christine

There is a profound shortage of IT-skilled professionals in the United States, and this situation is only going to worsen as massive numbers of IT pros retire over the next 15 years, writes Stevens Institute of Technology professor Jerry Luftman. The demand for experienced IT pros between the ages of 35 and 45 will surge by 25 percent over the next 30 years, while supply will decline by 15 percent, predicts McKinsey. A survey of top IT management sponsored by the Society for Information Management learned that there is a still a strong need among employers for IT professionals with both technical and business-related skills, with respondents worried about the scarcity of such talent. Research indicates definite expansion in the market for IT-skilled individuals, with the growth centered both globally and domestically in IT organizations within client companies that purchase IT products and sourcing services, and in IT service providers. The National Center for Education found that there have been dramatic declines in graduate science degrees awarded in the United States and undergraduate computer science enrollments, and children are deciding not to pursue IT careers because of a lack of communication or encouragement from teachers, counselors, and parents. Many Asian and European nations are more successful than the United States in educating and training their upcoming workforce in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills that the marketplace demands, and Luftman argues that "universities in the United States should continue to augment these [STEM] skills along with the skills being demanded by employers--such as business, industry, communications--to ensure that these candidates are prepared for the challenges and opportunities that await them." He says the key U.S. stakeholders--private industry, educational systems, and government agencies--must cooperate on the revitalization of the IT candidate pipeline in order to guarantee the continuance of U.S. global economic leadership.

http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=205601557

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