Business & Money Trail:

IT STATISTICS

In April, 2001, the Information Technology Association of America released its latest study of the demand for IT workers, "When Can You Start?", ITAA found that the number of needed IT positions in the U.S. had declined to 900,000 for 2001, with an expected vacancy rate of 425,000. While substantially lower than in 2000, the study shows that demand for appropriately skilled high tech workers persists.

In April, 2000, the Information Technology Association of America released a comprehensive study showing that employers will create a demand in this country for roughly 1.6 million IT workers this year. With demand for appropriately skilled people far exceeding supply, half of these positions -- 843,328 -- will likely go unfilled. In a total U.S. IT workforce of 10 million, that shortfall means one job in every dozen will be vacant.

The Computing Technology Industry Association released their Workforce Study for IT Service and Support in October, 1999, a survey of 878 Chief Information Officers and other IT executives. CompTIA found that nearly 10 percent of IT service and support positions are unfilled, an estimated 268,740 positions. This is in addition to the Department of Labor's estimate of 350,000 unfilled computer creation jobs (computer programmers, scientists, and systems analysts).

A 1997 Information Technology Association of America and Virginia Tech study showed there are 346,000 unfilled jobs in the IT sector. The Computing Technology Industry Association estimates that there is a shortage of 100,000 computer technicians alone.

High-technology sector salaries are nearly double the $27,000 national average salary.

U.S. high-tech employment approached 4.5 million in 1997. Demand for database administrators, computer support specialists, computer scientists, computer engineers, and systems analysts are all expected to more than double between 1996 and 2006. Internet sales were $3.2 billion in 1997. The U.S. Commerce Department projected Internet commerce could hit $300 billion by 2002.

In four states the technology sector already employs more than 6% of the state's workforce. The technology sector is the fastest growing sector of the U.S. workforce.

Computers have become the indispensable business tool. In 1997 almost 85% of the smallest businesses (1-4 employees) had computers. Over 30% of the companies with 5-19 employees used servers and 45% used electronic communications networks.

Technology sector products are greatly enhancing business productivity, reducing startup costs, and leveling the playing field between big and small U.S. businesses.

Between 1990 and 1995, 796,207 new jobs were created in eating and drinking establishments, and wages increased from $8,338 to $9,642. Over the same period more than 300,000 new computer-related jobs were created, with an average salary of $51,000.

A 1997 survey in The Education Week revealed that 70% of the nation's public schools are connected to the Internet and 15% of the nation's public school teachers have had at least nine hours of technology training.

Technology products are a major source of U.S. exports and imports. The increased use of the Internet and e-commerce are globalizing the technology sector rapidly, and creating great export opportunities for small U.S. manufacturing and service companies.

The U.S. high-tech industry represented 6.1% of U.S. GDP in 1996.

76% of all eligible Americans are registered to vote. 89% of PC owners are registered. Of that group, 95% said they vote.

Contact grant@techcoalition.org.