The Intersect Group Addresses the National IT Skills Gap with New Infographic Series
Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) January 23, 2014 -- Information Technology sector jobs in this country are booming, which is expected to continue to be a long-term trend. For example, the U.S. Department of Labor estimates that in the next seven years, the more than 480,000 current computer systems analysts jobs will grow by 20 to 28 percent. Yet, the reality is that there is an IT skills gap in this country, and companies will have a difficult time filling those jobs with American workers because of the outsourcing trend that began 20 years ago. By reshoring those roles, the U.S. could close the skills gap, cut the unemployment rate by 50 percent and create up to eight million jobs for American workers.
The above reveals a sample of several statistics that anchor a new infographic series produced by The Intersect Group, a national IT, finance, and accounting staffing and consulting firm. In the three-part series—“Closing the IT Skills Gap”—the firm focuses on this domestic economic issue as well as the opportunities, challenges and solutions to reshoring IT jobs to the United States. The series also offers a resounding endorsement for boosting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in schools.
“The offshoring trend of the 1990s indirectly resulted in a steep decline in STEM graduates in the U.S.,” remarks Wade Hughes, President and CEO of The Intersect Group. “In today’s marketplace, we find a strong demand for high skill IT jobs but a lack of skilled resources in the U.S. market to meet the needs. Because of the national IT talent shortage, companies have no choice but to obtain resources in other markets. We believe that education is the long-term key to addressing this issue and to bringing these opportunities back to the U.S labor market.”
The series also highlights notable statistics arguing in favor of STEM initiatives and reshoring:
• If 10 to 30 percent of the jobs lost to offshoring could return, it would add $20 to $60 billion in GDP per year.
• General Electric committed $1 billion to create 1,300 new jobs in the U.S. by 2014.
• Estimates show the U.S. will have over 1.2 million unfilled jobs in STEM fields by 2018.
• One in every five U.S. jobs required a high level of knowledge in STEM subjects as of 2011.
• At all levels of educational attainment, STEM jobs holders earn 11 percent higher wages compared to comparable degree counterparts in other jobs.
“We must build our qualified IT work force from within,” argues Hughes. “Corporations must support proven state policies similar to what we’ve seen recently in Hawaii, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia as well as research-based programs, such as Colorado’s STEM Think Tank, that enhance students’ interest in STEM disciplines. It’s important that we all invest deeply in education as a means of innovation and survival in the global technology marketplace.”
The first infographic, “Increasing Qualified U.S. Resources to Close the National IT Skills Gap,” is available now at http://bit.ly/1msad0t. The remaining infographics will be released over the next two months.
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About The Intersect Group
Founded in 2006, The Intersect Group is a different and better business partner, creating unparalleled value for clients by combining industry-leading consulting capabilities with comprehensive staffing and recruitment services. Clients trust The Intersect Group to deliver results based on deep expertise and proven resources within finance, accounting, and information technology. Through The Intersect Group’s flexible delivery approach, clients get the right solution at the right time to accelerate success and achieve mission-critical objectives. The Intersect Group's growing workforce, now in excess of 420 employees, serves clients nationwide from offices in Atlanta, Ga. and Dallas, Texas.
Lauren Shankman, Trevelino/Keller, (404) 214-0722 Ext: 121, [email protected]
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