The technical skills gap in the United States is widening and the future looks bleak based on recent reports as well as statistics about our population growth. Many underestimate the severity of the issue, given the current downturn in the tech sector, but the indications are clear – a technical skills gap tsunami is coming, and we are running out of time to address it.
No matter where you look – government or private sector – digital transformation is re-inventing the way everyone operates. Gone are the days when businesses were run with paper. Immediate online access is everywhere, and many basic decisions are automated, while a future where complex decisions are made through artificial intelligence is not far away. Additionally, given reports that quantum computing will render modern encryption methods useless, we have a near future that will see a demand for a technical workforce far greater than the supply that will exist.
The reports and statistics we have seen paint a very bleak picture that could create a technical skills shortage tsunami by 2030 or even sooner:
What must be done to address this tsunami, before it becomes a national disaster? Here are 3 steps needed to be implemented immediately to lessen the impact of the tsunami:
1. Allow for more knowledge and skills-based jobs that do not require college degrees. A college degree, in many cases, is not necessary to be successful for many technical positions. Strong purpose-built education, focused on qualifying, training, and certifying individuals in specific technical roles will help prepare individuals to take on technical positions and do so in a much faster timeframe than a complete 4-year education. Additionally, recognizing and accepting knowledge of technologies and years of experience, in lieu of a college education, will also help to reduce the technical supply gap.
2. Create more technical workforces by upskilling and reskilling undeserved communities and overlooked talent pools. There are many highly intelligent individuals who just need a chance to show that they have the ability, drive and dedication to become an important part of the technical force of the future. Some are our veterans, who have earned the right to be such an opportunity. Others may come from difficult environments – poverty, disabilities, and/or rural communities where the idea of having a successful technology career may seem like reaching for the stars. These individuals all must be given an opportunity to pursue such a career. It’s not a matter of charity, it’s a matter of national importance due to the possible impending skills gap crisis.
3. Invest and emphasize STEM education in elementary and high schools. Elementary and high school aged students need to be required to have an increased proficiency in STEM education. It is essential to the future of the U.S. economy. Our education system must double down on these foundational skills. Without such change and emphasis on STEM education, we will continue to see an erosion of math and science proficiency scores. It’s easy to blame the pandemic for these recent results, but scores also reflect classroom environments from before.
At SkillStorm, we recognize that this tsunami could have major implications for our economy. We are at the forefront of creating purpose-built tech teams as well as upskilling and reskilling veterans, underserved communities, and other professionals to create more tech supply. We team up with the Veterans Administration and many continuing education institutions to address this critical problem, while also accelerating opportunities for this new technical workforce.