IT Pathways program supports those exploring a career in IT – where demand for workers is growing
May is Technology Workforce Month
May is Technology Workforce Month – or Tech Month for short. It is an opportunity to draw attention to the critical importance of the state’s technology workforce and its key role in Minnesota’s economy. While the wide-ranging significance of their roles have been highlighted during the pandemic, Information Technology workers have been in demand in the marketplace for a long time – and will continue to be into the future.
The state of Minnesota is home to about 111,000 people working in Information Technology occupations, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). That’s about 4.1% of total employment in Minnesota, while the national average for such occupations is about 3.6%. That means that Information Technology work is more concentrated in Minnesota than the nation as a whole.
DEED Employment Outlook data points to a continued trend toward well-above-average growth in demand for Information Technology workers in Minnesota. DEED projects employment in computer occupations to grow 12.2% between 2020 and 2030, while the average growth of all occupations in Minnesota is 5.7%.
Because of high demand for Information Technology workers, wages for workers in these occupations are higher than for most occupations in Minnesota. In fact, the median hourly wage for Information Technology occupations was $49.39 an hour in 2022 – that’s nearly $25 an hour higher than the median for all occupations in the state.
For those with an interest in exploring IT as a career path, JFCS’ IT Pathways program can support you! As part of the MSP TechHire initiative, IT Pathways connects individuals with the needed resources to prepare for success in IT jobs. Training and support are designed to build upon current knowledge and skills, moving individuals to the next level. We work with clients training for credentials in:
• Full stack software engineering
• UX (User Experience) design
• CompTIA A+
• CompTIA Network+
• Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA)
• IT Infrastructure Management (Microsoft MDAA, CompTIA Network+, and ITIL 4 Foundation)
All participants will also receive from JFCS IT Pathways staff:
• Assessments and assistance in developing a customized IT career plan
• Job search assistance and job skills coaching
• Résumé and cover letter writing support
• Networking tips and strategies
• Interview preparation
For more information on JFCS’ IT Pathways program, click here or call 952-546-0616