COIN: Finding tech workers still an issue, as is rising housing costs

Certification schools, outreach to women, millennials boost qualified tech workforce

When the Colorado Innovation Network published its first talent report in 2012, it noted a startling decline in students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and math. That’s still a concern, but COIN took a different approach with its new report Tuesday. Within the top-jobs category of careers with higher wages and growth, 55 percent are STEM-related. “What has changed from four years ago is how we look at that talent and recognize how it moves forward,” said Anna Ewing, executive director of COIN, a privately funded organization launched by Gov. John Hickenlooper in 2011. “The influx of millennials is a very impactful trend on the talent landscape. People want to come here and work from a lifestyle perspective. But that puts more pressure on housing and transportation.” COIN, which opened its two-day summit Tuesday, is less a fixer of problems than an identifier of issues. The report cites many things for the community to consider, she said. “It’s going to necessitate that employers get more creative in how they keep employees engaged,” Ewing said. “With generational differences in the workforce and cultural changes, workers want flexibility. They want technology tools and to customize their own career path.” The disconnect between traditional college degrees and employers has spurred “badging certification” programs, such as Denver’s Galvanize, which trains students to become software developers with an entrepreneurial edge that tech companies are seeking.

COIN researchers interviewed Chris Onan, co-founder of Galvanize, which has graduated 200 students. Of its data-science grads, 93 percent found a job within six months and averaged a $115,000 starting salary. Full-stack grads started at $73,000, and 98 percent found jobs within six months. The company has made efforts to reach women, veterans and minorities. It expects 500 students to go through its program this year, but that’s not enough to meet demand, said Mark Saldaña, Galvanize’s marketing manager. “Galvanize is going to have to scale (up) to meet employer demand for talent and student demand for technical skills in the coming years,” he said. “We’re partnering with organizations like IBM and (President Barack) Obama’s TechHire initiative to fill the skills gap.”

Stephan Weiler, a Colorado State University economics professor, worked on earlier COIN reports but not this year’s. He said women will be taking on more roles because more women are going to college.

BUSINESS   By Tamara Chuang, The Denver Post, Posted: 08/25/2015

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