Obama TechHire, tech investment is critical to R.I. workforce, economy

On Tuesday, Aug. 4, R.I. Department of Labor and Training Director Scott Jensen and I traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the White House’s first-ever Demo Day showcasing innovators and entrepreneurs across America.
Rhode Island’s own Sproutel was one of many startup companies present to share the story of their creation, Jerry the Bear, the first model of which helps kids with type 1 diabetes learn how to manage their health and symptoms through play.
It was at Demo Day where President Obama also recognized Rhode Island as part of his TechHire initiative.
In March of this year, President Obama called on states, cities and rural communities to connect people with job growth opportunities in technology as part of TechHire. Obama’s initiative is a multi-sector effort to help employers fill critical local IT job gaps and enable a diverse array of Americans to rapidly gain technology skills and enter careers.
There are three main components of TechHire: non-traditional and accelerated training programs; expansion of hiring on-ramps; and innovative approaches to recruiting, hiring and matching transferrable skill sets. The initiative additionally makes available $100 million in grant dollars through the U.S. Department of Labor, which will be competitive funding. To date, 31 cities and states have been named as part of TechHire.
TechHire recognizes current initiatives and success in Rhode Island as well as its commitment to the continued expansion of tech-focused programs and inclusion of new ones. Examples of current initiatives are Tech Force Rhode Island, Real Jobs Rhode Island and Governors Workforce Board Rhode Island (GWBRI) industry partnerships. The $7.5 million Ready to Work/Tech Force Rhode Island grant received by Rhode Island in October 2014 is expected to service 476 long-term unemployed and underemployed individuals over the next four years. Through R.I. DLT, the state’s new Real Jobs Rhode Island initiative recently awarded 21 planning grants across various industries including IT to build flexible, demand-driven workforce development programs that support employers and connect people existing careers. GWBRI Industry Partnerships foster collaboration throughout the state to raise awareness of and develop workforce opportunities within Rhode Island’s high-growth industries.
Looking ahead, Governor Raimondo has proposed two initiatives in her budget that will address the tech workforce pipeline by bridging high school learning with college courses. Prepare RI would allow students across the state to take college courses while enrolled in high school at no cost to the student and their family. Establishing the IBM-led P-TECH program in Rhode Island would strengthen relationships between industry and education and enable high school students to gain real-world experience while earning a dual high school diploma and associate’s degree through a six-year program.
In addition, proposed initiatives with the national non-profit, Opportunity@Work, will connect Rhode Island employers with innovative approaches for inclusive recruiting and hiring as well as accelerated training opportunities to fill open tech positions.
TechHire is one initiative among several focusing on federal, state and private investment in the technology sectors. Rhode Island currently employs 13,500 IT professionals across both “core” IT industry sectors (e.g. IT services, software, networking) and “utility” companies across other industries (e.g. finance, healthcare, education, etc.).
As IT plays an increasingly integrated and vital role in businesses, education and lifestyles, the need for IT professionals has never been greater. Rhode Island is experiencing a high-demand for IT workers, but there is a limited talent pool to fill that workforce need. The result is inhibiting company growth and innovation, worker advancement and the overall economic contribution of the industry’s employers and workforce.
Through Tech Collective’s “Why IT Works” Rhode Island IT Skills Gap report, employers cite they are continually recruiting, with only 65 percent of employers said their current IT talent base was “adequate.” This reflects employers’ need for workers with both comprehensive technical knowledge as well as professional skills required to excel in an increasingly cross-business and customer service industry.
The talent need is mounting. The “Why IT Works” report cites 76 percent of respondents to its employer survey indicate they anticipate expanding their business over the next three to five years. Rhode Island Labor Market Information (LMI) 2022 Industry Outlook data projects the Computer & Mathematical occupational group will grow at 16.7 percent – making it one of the fastest growing, and it projects 4,254 job positions will need to be filled through 2022. Some of the positions expected to have the largest industry job growth in Rhode Island are computer systems analysts; computer programmers; software developers, applications; software developers, systems software; and computer user support specialists.
Tech Collective is proud of Rhode Island’s TechHire recognition and applauds the truly collaborative efforts being made to invest in and build a sustainable, in-demand pipeline of Rhode Island tech workers. The benefits are exponential. It will prepare our students for 21st century careers, bridge the education-employment gap for graduates, provide continuous learning opportunities for current workers, provide employers with the skilled workers they require to grow and innovate, drive the Rhode Island economy through high-tech, high-wage employment and the success of its business, and invaluably contribute to Rhode Island’s larger tech ecosphere.

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