Is Tulsa ready to meet the ever-increasing demand for high-tech workers? Some experts say there is already a serious shortage. And, as a result, many local companies are struggling to maintain a workforce.
Nearly 2-million dollars in grant money is going to Tulsa Community College to educate future technology workers. But, what about right now? Experts tell us Tulsa is grappling with a serious IT shortage.
Christine Pumphreys is a college student preparing for a high tech career.
"My major is an Associate's in Science and I'm learning to build databases through the Microsoft (web|news|quote) Office programs."
It's a smart choice. Information Technology or IT is the new "it" career. But, getting qualified workers here in Tulsa is proving to be quite a challenge. Just ask Bill Bryan, an IT 'headhunter'.
"My primary responsibility is to find talent, IT talent, for companies that work with us," Bryan says.
But lately here in Tulsa there are fewer heads out there.
"After the large layoffs that we saw in the past, the past few years, it did create a little bit of a vacuum there. Most of those people have stayed away from Tulsa or moved on and so now the talent pool isn't as deep."
That means a lot of local IT jobs are going unfilled and companies are left scrambling. Tuesdya, a 1-point-7 million dollar grant was given to Tulsa Community College to help grow more local IT workers. TCC's new program should help future need for IT workers. But what about right now?
"We're paying premium salaries and we're telling all of our clients that if they are interested in a candidate to make an offer because typically they have at least one or two other offers pending."
It all sounds good to Christine, who is very specific about why she's here.
"Money. I have three teenage girls and money is important."
Speaking of money, entry level salaries vary, but the range is somewhere between 40 and 60-thousand dollars.
IT workers don't necessarily need to have a college degree. Some companies value expertise and experience over education.
This looks like a total PR piece to me.
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