03 IT Workforce Shortage

Post date: Jun 16, 2014 10:54:38 PM

List of IT Job Categories

The Computer Workforce in Western Mass: A Critical Shortage

From http://www.pvstem.net/?q=node/259:

• • Let Us Work for You: Training and Workforce Options Robert LePage, STCC and HCC

  • Opportunities and Challenges for the IT Workforce of a Regional Health Care Provider Jason Pacheco, Baystate Health

  • FEEDING THE CS/IT PIPELINE: SOLUTIONS ADDRESSING DIVERSITY Renee Fall, CAITE, UMass

From Seminar focuses on creating pipeline of computer-savvy workforce in Pioneer Valley

Robert LePage, vice president of workforce training at Springfield Technical Community College, said that between his institution and Holyoke Community College there are only about 544 students majoring in IT subjects. The two schools graduate a total of about 70 students in IT fields each year.

"That's not enough," LePage said. "The lack of an IT workforce is a limiting factor for growth. The need is in health care, education, manufacturing."

Jackie Fallon, president of FIT Solutions in Springfield, does IT recruitment for industries all over the region including manufacturers like Crane Paper in Dalton. Fallon networks at computer-user groups and hackathon programming get-togethers looking for IT talent.

"The young people want to do games, the cool stuff," Fallon said. "But as far as being a head-down application developer, it can be hard."