Addressing Utah's Talent Shortage by Preparing Students for Jobs In Demand

A Technology Company Perspective

Jeff Weber SVP People and Places

Instructure

Introduction

Instructure

–Transforming the way people learn online

–1,200 Customers

–Over 9 million active users

–200,000 + in Utah

–HQ in SLC

Recruiting Challenges

• Utah?• Other locations?

– Columbus

• Increase skills?– React training– Girldevelopit / Devbootcamp– Online courses

• Outsource?• Retention? Backfill positions• Benefits and perqs?

Perspective of Utah technology companies…

• VC Company funding -2014 biggest year yet $1B• Grow faster – higher more people

Technology Hiring Data

• Technology positions posted in SLC area - 2014• 2,672 Software Developers• 750 Web Developers• 374 Computer Programmers• 3,796 Total

*Source Innovate+educate study

Technology Positions Needed in Utah - 2015

• 3,800 + positions– 1,790 positions from 34

companies in UTC survey alone

– 71% are increasing hiring from 2014

– 4,300 technology companies in Utah (*Silicon Slopes)

• Up to 50% could be filled in other locations or outsourced overseas

• Skills in high demand– Development (Database, Ruby,

Python, Javascript, Mobile)– Product Management– User Experience– Big Data / Business Intelligence

UTC Survey - Salaries

F-35 Lightning Program - HAFB

• Over 30 million lines of code

• Maintenance is primarily technical and engineering

• Talent shortage of trained engineers and technicians– Hiring 250 engineers per year for

next three years

• F-35 Sponsored Programs– Engineers in the Classroom– FIRST Robotics– Engineers Week– Space Day– MATHCOUNTS

STEM High Demand JobsSalt Lake City Area

• Job posting information from Burning Glass Technologies, Inc.

Top Advertised Jobs 2014Salt Lake City Area

Top Skills Requested

Ideas from Business Leaders

• Internships and on the job experiences

• School assignments / projects working with businesses

• Speaking with or interviewing business people about jobs in demand and skills / experiences needed

•  Job shadowing along with site visits and career fairs

• Encourage online courses in technology

–MOOCs, Puralsight, Community Colleges, etc. 

•  Industry can help with Utah Scholars, Junior Achievement

• Encourage students to pursue focused courses or certificates in areas of high demand

–Continue to change the perception of 2 year degrees or code camps, etc.

Certificate / Focused Outcome Programs

• UVU

–Workforce readiness, CTE training, Concurrent enrollment

–Career pathways programs

• Davis Applied Technology College

–http://www.datc.edu/programs

• Salt Lake Community College

–Science camps

–Bridge to Success

–Customized job-specific training programs

Coding Schools

Coding Campus

Supporting technology careers

Exploring Computer Science fulfills the Computer Tech graduation requirement

• Approved in June 2014 by State Board of Education

Encourage ALL students to take

Exploring Computer Science (ECS) class

–No typing pre-requisites

–Learn a little CS while meeting Computer Tech requirements

Wrap Up

• Learning is never done!

• Skill requirements change frequently

–Encourage students to stay current on competencies and up to date on skills

• There are several options besides traditional 4 year degrees that provide career growth and development