| [October 13, 2011] |
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Newly Gathered Data Show Growth of Technology Jobs and Point to Need for Increased Computing Education
WASHINGTON --(Business Wire)--
Comparisons between the number of projected technology job openings and
the number of students studying computing-related fields around the
country reflect a lack of preparedness for the demands of the 21st
century, according to newly gathered data from the National Center for
Women & Information Technology (NCWIT).
According to national data:
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There will be a total of nearly 1.4 million computing-related jobs
added in the U.S. by 2018, according to projections from the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, making technology one of the
fastest-growing sectors.
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The average growth in computing jobs is projected to be about 22%;
this compares to a 10% growth rate across all jobs.
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The number of people graduating from college with computer or
information sciences degrees has been decreasing steadily since 2004.
At current rates of computing degree production, barely 60 percent of
the vacant computing jobs expected by 2018 could be filled by U.S.
graduates.
Local data suggest that:
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Most states (80%) are producing fewer computing graduates than needed
to fill all projected in-state computing-related jobs.
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By contrast, 10 states currently produce more degree-holders i
computing than anticipated state job openings.
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In some congressional districts that overlap high-density metropolitan
areas with growing tech sectors, fewer than half of the annual
estimated job openings can be filled with local graduates. In the
Denver/Boulder area of Colorado (CO-2), for example, only 24% of the
estimated 2,500 annual jobs can be filled with computing graduates
from local universities.
These computing education and job statistics are available online in an
interactive map at http://www.ncwit.org/edjobsmap,
accompanied by a research executive summary. NCWIT has published the
data to help raise awareness about the state of computing education and
job opportunities, provide a benchmark for helping to measure progress,
and give policymakers, educators, employers, and other stakeholders a
resource that helps them advocate for change.
"American students need a 21st century computing education," said NCWIT
CEO, Lucy Sanders. "The lack of a sufficiently skilled technology
workforce poses risks to this country's security, economic stability,
and ability to innovate."
NCWIT and the Woodrow Wilson Center are hosting a roundtable discussion
today to address the critical need for improved computing education and
expansion of the U.S. technology talent pool. Participants include
Congressman Thomas Petri (R-WI); Donagh Herlihy, Senior VP & CIO, Avon
Products, Inc.; Dr. Anthony Carnevale, Director, Georgetown University
Center on Education and the Workforce; Dan Zelem, CIO, Medco; Laura
Adolfie, Director, STEM Development Office, Department of Defense; and
Bill Kamela, Senior Director for Education and Workforce Law and
Corporate Affairs, Microsoft (News - Alert).
About NCWIT
The National Center for Women & Information Technology is a coalition of
more than 300 prominent corporations, academic institutions, government
agencies, and non-profits working to increase women's participation in
technology and computing. Find out more at http://www.ncwit.org.
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