MAC Assesses Metro Atlanta's Technology Workforce Gap

ATLANTA, Dec. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Technology and education experts participated in a forum on workforce development today held at the Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC). Today's topic was the state of metro Atlanta's workforce, and how to build a bridge between education and jobs -- especially in technology-related businesses.

"Having an educated and skilled local workforce is critical to the economic development of our region," said Sam A. Williams, MAC president. "Metro Atlanta is a major player in the technology industry, and the potential for job growth in this area is huge."

MAC spent the last year assessing the workforce in technology, finding that companies have needs that have not been met with the local workforce. While metro Atlanta has a 9.9 percent unemployment rate reported in Oct., technology companies can't find enough talent to hire. During today's forum, technology industry leaders discussed their needs in cluster areas like health IT, cyber security and wireless.  

"IBM is taking a lead in developing a highly educated and skilled workforce with innovative approaches to prepare students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)," said Stanley S. Litow, vice president of corporate citizenship and corporate affairs, and president of the IBM Foundation, and forum keynote speaker. "Our nation's economic health depends on a workforce that is able to fill jobs in high-tech jobs like cyber security and health IT-- jobs requiring a focus on STEM."

Education leaders such as the Georgia University System Chancellor and Commissioner of Technical and Adult Education, talked about ways the education systems are responding to workforce needs by offering certificates, degrees, programs and training in technology and health IT.

"We are encouraged that educators are listening to workforce needs," said David Scheible, president and CEO Graphic Packaging; and 2012 chair of MAC's education and workforce committee. "Educators are responding with programs and degrees tailored to close gaps in the technology-related workforce, and today's discussion led to an agreement to keep an active dialogue between industry and education to coordinate workforce supply and demand."

Georgia is rapidly growing in the health IT industry. Atlanta is considered the nation's health IT capital, with close to 200 health IT companies located here. Metro Atlanta has some of the largest health IT companies headquartered here like Greenway Medical Technologies, Transcend Services and McKesson Technology Solutions – one of the largest health IT companies in the United States.

Metro Atlanta is also considered one of the fastest growing high-tech metros in the nation, with more than 75 percent of credit card transactions being processed through companies located in metro Atlanta such as Global Payments, First Data and Elavon.

Metro Atlanta Chamber--Everything we do at the Metro Atlanta Chamber - from recruiting businesses to Atlanta from all over the world, to tackling policy issues - is about creating jobs and prosperity to help Atlanta thrive. Our board is made up of Atlanta's top business leaders. Our professional staff serves 4,000 member companies that employ nearly 1 million workers. We focus on recruiting headquarters and global business -- and companies in the supply chain and advanced manufacturing, bioscience, technology and business services sectors. In public policy, we tackle critical issues such as transportation, water and education. For members, we offer 150+ events and activities each year. In sports, MAC's Atlanta Sports Council has helped drive almost $2 billion in economic impact through sporting events over the last 10 years.

SOURCE The Metro Atlanta Chamber