Page 38 - Skills 2022

Industry Outlook: Technology
GREAT GROWTH
PROSPECTS, SIGNIFICANT
NEED FOR TALENT
BY ELAINE POFELDT
For decades now, the constant evolution
of technology has transformed every aspect of our lives. In fact, anywhere in the
country, IT occupations are some of the fastest growing.
According to nonprofit trade association CompTIA, tech companies in the U.S. added 24,300 workers
in January 2022, marking the 14th consecutive month of job growth. Unemployment rates within tech occupations dropped to 1.7%, down from 2% in December 2021.
It’s a staggering opportunity for
anyone looking to launch a career — or switch to a different career — and it’s one that is certainly available to Westchester residents.
LOCAL COMPANIES NEED TALENT
Like many technology firms in Westchester, Progressive Computing
is on the hunt for talent. The 27-person outsourced IT services company, based in Yonkers, is looking to fill three vacant technical support positions by the end of the year.
Given the competition for highly skilled technology pros, Robert Cioffi, chief operating officer and cofounder, is
allowing plenty of time to find the right candidates. He’s looking for generalists with a broad range of technical capabilities. “Especially in this climate, it requires a lot of patience and fortitude to find the right people,” he says.
Cioffi is not alone in contending with the tech talent crunch, a nationwide problem exacerbated by the
pandemic and the “Great Resignation.” Westchester is home to more than 1,000 companies that work in technology in some capacity, from health tech to IT, and many are facing similar challenges, according to Bridget Gibbons, director of economic development for the county.
“We as a county are going to do
36 2022 SKILLS What’s Hot. What’s Next. What’s Needed.
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