Online Training in Demand for IT Workers
While the State of Maine has a healthy IT industry, many workers with IT jobs are demanding training for new technology, including online training.
A recent report from the Technology Association of Maine based on a survey of 288 IT businesses found there is a demand among IT professionals for "educational opportunities, especially in the form of just-in-time skills training to address the training needs of emerging and disruptive technologies."
TechMaine, which is the statewide trade association for Maine's technology industries, created the report as part of a federally funded project to address the impact of the impending closure of the Brunswick Naval Air Station.
The results found that 91 percent of Maine's IT workforce has at least an associates degree. In addition, the highest ACT scores among high school students throughout the state belonged to those planning on majoring in mathematics or computers.
Software companies, IT service providers and government or non-profit organizations accounted for the top three types of businesses surveyed, but there were 20 other types of businesses included in the report.
TechMaine Executive Director Joseph Kumiszcza told The Maine Campus that the skills employers are looking for vary by region. For instance, companies responsible for keeping technology systems running are usually looking for people trained in vendor programs, with development shops in the central part of Maine having a need for workers with such training.
"It almost breaks down geographically," he said. "The folks in the business in the southern part of the state were looking ... for entrepreneurial students. Those that really have the skills to get into creating new programs and looking under the hood of technology, rather than those certified in an everyday vendor computer program."
Respondents to the survey said their workers most desired to have skills in Web 2.0, wireless technologies, mobile applications and Java. Therefore, the ability for workers to receive quality training in Maine will play a significant role in whether these workers become employable and productive.
TechMaine is doing its part to help workers gain the skills employers need. The organization is looking to implement an online training program through the TechMaine Web site to notify technology workers of the skills employers are currently demanding.