Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/592911
26 | I NSIGH T • N o v e m b e r 2 0 15 w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m IT TALENT by the numbers Somehow paradox just doesn't seem to be a strong enough word. As the role of information technology in our personal and work lives has proliferated, we are staring down a growing skills gap of talent that can create and manage that technology. It's a problem regionally, as well as on the state and national levels. Fortunately, Northeast Wisconsin has multiple assets in place that can be leveraged to grow, recruit and retain the talent needed to both bridge the gap and keep the economy resilient. The New North IT Alliance, the collaborative effort to fulfill this critical mission, kicked off this year after a NEW ERA study provided concrete measures of the challenges and assets the region faces. Collaborative effort launched by educators and industry advocates to create a better IT pipeline Wisconsin computer/IT careers and average salaries ▶ Software Developer/Systems Software ................ $83,220 ▶ Computer Network Architects .................................. $82,790 ▶ Software Developers/Applications ......................... $80,090 ▶ Computer and Information ....................................... $74,640 Research Scientists ▶ Database Administrators ............................................. $72,780 ▶ Computer Programmers .............................................. $72,300 ▶ Computer Systems Analysts ...................................... $69,400 ▶ Information Security Analysts ................................... $68,710 ▶ Network and Computer .............................................. $65,450 ▶ System Administrators ▶ Computer Network Support Specialists ............... $52,410 ▶ Web Developers .............................................................. $52,660 ▶ Computer User Support Specialists ........................ $44,410 Source: Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Northeast Wisconsin employer survey response Source: Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Top career needs in Northeast Wisconsin (2015-2020) ▶ Software Developer/Engineer ▶ Mobile/Web Developer Engineer ▶ Business Systems Analyst ▶ Project Management ▶ Quality Assurance ▶ Network/Communications Administration ▶ Server/Infrastructure Administration ▶ End User Specialists/PC Support/Help Desk ▶ Data Management Administration ▶ Business Intelligence/Big Data/Analytics ▶ Information Security/Risk Management Source: Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Costs of IT talent gap in Wisconsin (Estimated job shortfall x IT median wage = cost to region) Given that Northeast Wisconsin has approximately 15% of the IT jobs in the state, and is expected to account for more than 25% of the new IT jobs in Wisconsin. 2,900 x $70,000 = $203,000,000 1,300 x $70,000 = $91,000,000 195 x $70,000 = $13,650,000 What do you believe are the factors contributing to the IT talent shortage? Lack of understanding of IT job opportunities and salaries Lack of interest from high school graduates Perceptions of IT jobs Northeast Wisconsin location 95% 90% 76% 75% 2012 2016 2021