Is there a tech labor shortage in Connecticut?

The notion of a tech labor shortage in Connecticut is a false narrative aiding the perpetuation of entrenched concentrations of wealth and the suppression of labor pricing required to sustain this inequality.

Transcript

1. Is there a tech labor shortage in Connecticut? DECONSTRUCTING THE CLAIM, UNPACKING THE NARRATIVE LOU RINALDI NEWHAVEN.IO
2. The claim: “There's a shortage of tech workers in Connecticut.”  More than 5,500 open computing jobs in the state (source: code.org)  533 college graduates in 2017 with computer science degrees  15,000 computer-related jobs over the next decade (source: CTDOL)  As of 2016, there were ~49,000 people working IT jobs in the state  CTDOL estimates that number will grow to about 55,000 by 2026  State’s solution: a K-12 computer science curriculum mandate
3. Why?  “Because we aren't getting any qualified applicants to our posted tech jobs.”
4. Why?  “Because the qualified tech workers are leaving the state rather than applying to our posted jobs.”
5. Why?  “Because there is dissonance between qualification and experience desired and compensation offered.”
6. Why?  “Because of wage stagnation and inadequate pricing of work.”
7. Why?  “Because there's no willingness to cut into shareholder/investor profits, which leads to entrenchment around keeping tech labor cheap in Connecticut.”
8. So how will a K-12 CS curriculum mandate help solve the problem?  It’s not a bad idea, but by itself it won’t solve for the root cause.  Increasing the labor supply has no direct impact on talent retention  You don’t need a CS degree to work in IT (hello boot camps!)  The systemic conditions that created the “shortage” remain unchanged  What they really hope it will do:  Create a new generation of tech labor with lowered expectations  Create a tech labor surplus that masks the talent retention problem
9. The shortage is a false narrative.  Question the motive of anyone pushing the idea of a shortage.  Follow the money.  Talk to the workers, not the pundits.
10. So how do we solve for root cause?  Forget about stereotypical tech job perks.  Jettison the New England bias against remote work!  It's a wealth concentration problem and it needs to be clearly labeled and discussed as such. Don’t be afraid.  Accelerators and grants are great, but they aren't a permanent, complete solution.  Ongoing adjustment of total compensation packages to better align with industry norms and our state's cost of living.  Current and future!  Engage with the local tech community (NewHaven.io)