PROS• Easy access to IT staff

• Control internal costs

• Teamwork and collaboration

CONS• Increased costs for payroll and benefits

• Ongoing training required

• Difficult for 1 person to fulfill an entire company’s needs

#1Build a great work environment

The Technology Skills Gap

Gap of

71,000 available

jobs

120,000new computer

science positions each year

49,000computer science degrees earned

annually

The great divide: The technology skills gap

#2 Consider outsourcing

#3Build an in-house IT team

#5Be realistic in expectations

#4Grow the perfect employees

PROS• Less overhead and training costs

• Round-the-clock service

• Cutting edge resources and expertise

CONS• Good help has a high sticker price

• Language and cultural differences

• Lack of team-based approach

Provide ...

Questions to address• How many employees are needed?

• What skills are required?

• Where will we look?

• Do they exist?

• How much training is needed?

Advertise

Get referrals

Make swift offers

Re-recruit valuable ex-employees

Actions to take

40% of entrepreneurs report their biggest obstacle to growth is finding qualified people

Make certain skills desired, not required

Offer to pay for training and certifications

Balance specific technical skills with attitudes and aptitudes

Widen the applicant pool:

Proactively identify skills gaps for continuous improvement

Recruit interns you can develop from the ground up

Hire based on attitude and aptitudes for position requirements

Use a multi-tier hiring approach to keep a constant supply of talent ready to move into new roles as others exit

#6Partner IT and training to best address current needs

Sources

1. Beach, Gary. "Is the Technology Skills Gap Fact or Fiction?" CIO. N.p., 5 Sept. 2013. Web. 03 Dec. 2013. <http://www.cio.com.au/article/525680/technology_skills_gap_fact_fiction_/>.2. "The Pros and Cons of Outsourcing." Outsourcing Newbie. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2013. <http://outsourcingnewbie.com/>.3. Wells, Donna. "Instead Of Whining About The Skills Gap, Use Training To Close It | Fast Company | Business Innovation." Fast Company. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2013. <http://www.fastcompany.com/1795506/instead-whining-about-skills-gap-use-training-close-it>

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Infographic created by www.4imprint.com, based on the Technology Skills Gap Blue Paper®. Download Blue Paper at:http://info.4imprint.com/bluepapers/technology-skills-gap/

You may reproduce and distribute this infographic in its entirety. You may not create derivative works. (Licensed under the Creative Commons: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/)

Whether you get started with outsourcing, training or creative methods to attract new hires,

it’s time to start closing in on the skills gap.

• Office space that feels like home

• Fully-stocked food pantry and fridge

• Fun—toys & games

• A welcome wagon for newbies

• Celebrations for employee accomplishments

Bridging the gap: 6 ways to close the great divide