Women and Girls in High Tech Research tells us that today's US economy depends more than ever on the talent of skilled, high tech workers. We also know that an increasingly large portion of American workforce consists of women, minorities and persons with disabilities. These are the groups that we must encourage to enter in the fields of science, engineering and technology. Business needs a skilled labor force. As Secretary Chao has stated "there are thousands upon thousands of unfilled high-tech positions across America; what is lacking is people with the right skills." Closing the skills gap is a valuable strategy for improving the quality of the labor market available to high tech employers. Projections for future growth indicate that computers, software and applications for information technology will continue to have a substantial impact on the life and employment opportunities of American workers, as well as provide greater financial independence. For example, employment is projected to grow in computer and data processing services by almost 2 million workers between 1998 and 2008, an increase of 117 percent from the 1998 level. Employment growth in this industry alone is projected to account for 11 percent of the total employment increase between 1998 and 2008. These projections were developed before September 11th, but the underlying strength of computer technology in the United States continues in spite of special economic conditions or events. And just as importantly, according to research conducted recently: 90% of today's kindergartners will be working in jobs that DO NOT exist today (Gatta and Trigg, Bridging the Gap. 2001). Several national projects have been developed by the Women's Bureau to address the high technology initiative. One specific example: In collaboration with the Department's Employment and Training Administration and the New Jersey Department of Labor, one of the Women's Bureau projects will provide on-line learning for single mothers with school-aged children in four New Jersey counties. The project will test the feasibility of participants earning computer certification or an Associates degree through online courses compared with traditional educational settings and methods. The offered courses will be designed to prepare the participants for high skilled jobs in their local community. The Women's Bureau feels confident that as a result of their experience, these mothers will teach their children the value of high technology training. Very fine high technology programs have also been implemented in other areas by the Women's Bureau, such as the Computer Training course for Rural Women in several locations in Western New York, and high tech summer camps for girls and e-mentoring programs, in Regions I and III. The Women's Bureau's emphasis on high technology is an important means of bridging the skill gap and ensuring that our workforce has the tools necessary to keep our economy strong. For further information, please visit the U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau. Did you know... Nearly two-thirds of women in IT surveyed said that a glass ceiling exists, nearly two-thirds of men said that this barrier is a non-issue. More than 90 percent of the engineers who make Internet systems work are men. Careers in Technology Computer and data processing services is projected to be the fastest growing industry in the economy, with employment expected to increase 86 percent between 2000 and 2010. Job opportunities will be excellent for most workers; professional and related workers enjoy the best prospects, reflecting continuing demand for higher level skills needed to keep up with changes in technology. Computer specialists account for almost half of all employees in this industry. As one might expect, education and experience influence earnings as well. For example, annual earnings of computer software engineers ranged from less than $42,710 for the lowest 10 percent to more than $106,680 for the highest 10 percent in 2000. Managers usually earn more because they have been on the job longer and are more experienced than their staffs, but their salaries, too, can vary by level and experience. Accordingly, annual earnings of computer and information systems managers ranged from less than $44,090 for the lowest 10 percent to more than $127,460 for the highest 10 percent in 2000. Earnings also are affected by other factors such as size, location, and type of establishment, hours and responsibilities of the employee, and level of sales. The computer and data processing services industry has grown dramatically over the past decade and wage and salary employment is expected to grow about 86 percent by the year 2010, making this the fastest growing industry in the U.S. economy. Given the rate at which the computer and data processing services industry is expected to grow and the increasing complexity of technology available, job opportunities will be excellent for most workers. The best opportunities will be for professional and related occupations, reflecting their rapid growth and the continuing demand for higher level skills to keep up with changes in technology. For additional information see the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics... 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