Very Rapid Increase in Demand for Core Information Technology Workers Projected for the 1996-2006 Period. America's New Deficit: Update.

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Adult Education; Computer Science; Computer Science Education; Computers; Data Processing; Electromechanical Technology; Employment Projections; Higher Education; Information Technology; Labor Force Development; Labor Needs; Postsecondary Education; Programmers; Systems Analysts; Vocational Education

The Office of Technology has analyzed Bureau of Labor Statistics's (BLS's) growth projections for the three core occupational classifications of information technology (IT) workers--computer scientists and engineers, systems analysts, and computer programmers--to assess future United States demand. BLS projections indicate that between 1996-2006, the U.S. will require more than 1.3 million new IT workers in these 3 occupations to fill newly created jobs and to replace workers who are leaving these fields. Of the 3 occupations, the largest growth in jobs is accounted for by systems analysts, with a projected increase of 103 percent compared to 14 percent for all occupations. The number of computer engineers and scientists is expected to grow by 114 percent, while the number of computer programmer positions is expected to grow at a slower rate of 23 percent. The service sector is expected to absorb the lion's share of all increases in core IT occupations. Certain industries are more IT worker intensive than others and would be more affected by tight IT labor markets. These markets are growing in their IT worker intensity. When IT worker intensity and size of IT workforce are taken together, the computer and data processing services industry stands out starkly as an industry with much at stake in the supply of IT workers. (Five figures and a list of facts about America's IT workforce are included.) (YLB)

2001

ED448338