Government Involvement in Skills Issues

Abstract

Technology products and services make up approximately one-third of the U.S. economy. The statistics are similar around the globe. Governments are concerned because this industry sector significantly impacts employment and productivity rates. The birth of the information age and the criticality of knowledge workers had great potential. To date, however, the benefits are not fully realized. The rate of change in the industry has instead created a significant gap between the needs of employers and the skills of the workforce. While technology professionals cannot find jobs, employers claim they cannot hire workers with necessary skills portfolios. Government agencies are taking action to coordinate state, national, and international projects to bridge this skill gap. One project currently underway in the United States is the development of national skill standards for the information and communications technology (ICT) industry sector. It is funded by the Department of Labor.