The number of projected technology job openings is not in line with the number of students studying computing-related fields in the U.S., according to the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT). The data reflects a lack of preparedness for the demands of the 21st century.
There number of computing-related jobs in the U.S. by 2018 will be around 1.4 million, according to projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The NCWIT data suggests that the average growth in computing jobs is forecast to be around 22 percent. The growth rate across all jobs will be 10 percent. This means technology will be one of the fastest-growing sectors.
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.
“American students need a 21st century computing education,” said Lucy Sanders, CEO of NCWIT, in a statement. “The lack of a sufficiently skilled technology workforce poses risks to this country's security, economic stability, and ability to innovate.”
Eighty percent of states are producing fewer computing graduates than needed to fill all projected in-state computing-related jobs. Ten states currently produce more degree-holders in computing than anticipated state job openings.
In the Denver/Boulder area of Colorado (CO-2), only 24 percent of the estimated 2,500 annual jobs can be filled with computing graduates from local universities.
Recently, CompTIA, a non-profit association in the IT industry, announced that 78 percent of 500 educators believe that technology is one of the many positive influences in education today. Sixty five percent of educators said students are more productive today than they were three years ago due to the use of technology.
Rajani Baburajan is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Rajani's articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by Jennifer Russell