TechHire Needs Assessment: Information & Computer Technologies Occupational Survey Analysis, June 2016

Purpose

Earlier this year the White House launched the TechHire initiative and Rochester was one of 20 cities selected to develop new tools and training models which would connect Americans to well-paying technology jobs. As a part of this new initiative, the City of Rochester, the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Digital Rochester, and the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council have partnered with Monroe Community College’s Economic and Workforce Development Center to conduct a needs assessment survey of local industry. The purpose of this survey was as follows:  Assess the information technology needs of companies in the Genesee Valley and Finger Lakes region.  Inform efforts to develop programs that produce in-demand workers in support of industry needs, and identify student internship opportunities.  Better position the region to compete for State and Federal grant opportunities.  Provide local organizations with a venue to request immediate support for urgent IT-related training and hiring needs.  Assist in creating a more effective and proactive workforce development system for the Greater Rochester area.  Degree requirement demanded. Many of the current and future job openings in IT require a Bachelor’s degree. The current number of openings for Bachelor’s for a select group of eleven IT positions is 76 and the anticipated growth within the next two years increases to149 positions.  Prevalence of Outsourcing IT functions . The vast majority of respondents, about 7 out of 10, manage all their IT support needs in-house. About 1 in 5 partially outsource IT support needs. Less than 10% completely outsource IT support.  Businesses are split regarding the condition of the regional business climate as it pertains to IT jobs. Half of the respondents reported that the business climate in terms of IT job growth for 2014 and 2015 remained the same, while the other half feel that IT job growth has increased or increased greatly and will continue to do so.  Hiring challenges. The number one hiring challenge noted by respondents was the lack of qualified workers in the region. The second most noted challenge was an inability to pay market rate for positions. When asked if as if they would be willing to hire an Associates level worker even though a Bachelor’s level worker was desired or similarly, a Certificate level Summary Key Findings

Economic & Workforce Development Center, Monroe Community College Page 1