Information technology hiring managers are having difficulty finding qualified workers, and the situation is expected to worsen in the coming years. Colorado, however, is in a position to succeed in the overall tech sector.
That’s the conclusion from a pair of reports issued last week.
According to the Milken Institute, Colorado ranks third in the nation in the group’s 2008 State Technology and Science Index. The study looked at 77 variables such as entrepreneurial infrastructure, science and technology workforce, and research and development efforts.
At the same time, ConsultNet, a Salt Lake City-based placement firm, said there is a talent shortage in various IT fields. Combined with the high number of baby boomers retiring and the low number of college graduates with computer science degrees, there’s a shortfall.
“In the last two years we’ve seen a 72 percent increase in the number of IT professionals that our customers need. That’s indicating a huge demand for IT talent,” said ConsultNet president Spencer Schaffer.
Schaffer said the Milken study is good news for the state but said staffing issues need to be addressed so the state can keep its top ranking.
“The challenge is if companies don’t prepare to attract this talent,” he said. “If we don’t start talking and strategizing about what is to happen, (Colorado) won’t live up to its expectation.”
Workers displaced due to layoffs at large companies might have trouble finding new jobs if their skill set isn’t in high demand, said Andrew Albarelle, president of Denver-based Remy Corp., an IT staffing firm.
He said he advises some to go back to school and learn new programming languages and skills, such as C++, Java and ColdFusion, which are used in Web development.
Kimberly S. Johnson: 303-954-1088 or kjohnson@denverpost.com
