PSRC recently completed a Workforce Recovery Planning Project to provide regional labor market information on in-demand industries and occupations, as well as related training programs.
The region’s information industry shows high demand for workers over the next decade, offering growing career opportunities with strong wages. This industry is experiencing high demand across all types of occupations, especially mid-level positions that require some experience and education. An increase in cyber attacks and security breaches has led to an increased focus in cybersecurity.
Occupations within the information industry with the strongest opportunities are software developers, web developers, and computer user support specialist occupations.
A detailed profile was developed for each occupation that highlights the job outlook, expected work schedule, skills and licenses required, salary information, general job tasks, education and training required, as well as local opportunities for training. These profiles were designed to inform job seekers about these opportunities and provide detailed information on how to pursue them.
Opportunity occupations in the growing information industry:
- Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: Software developers create the computer applications that allow users to do specific tasks and the underlying systems that run the devices or control networks. Software quality assurance analysts and testers design and execute software tests to identify problems and learn how the software works.
- Web Developers and Digital Interface Designers: Web developers create and maintain websites. They are also responsible for the site’s technical aspects, such as its performance and capacity, which are measures of a website’s speed and how much traffic the site can handle. In addition, web developers may create content for the site. Digital designers develop, create, and test website or interface layout, functions, and navigation for usability. They are responsible for the look and functionality of the website or interface.
- Computer User Support Specialist: Computer user support specialists provide help and advice to computer users and organizations. Theyeither support computer networks or provide technical assistance directly to computer users.
The Workforce Recovery Planning Project was informed by stakeholder interviews held across industry groups, community and technical colleges, workforce development councils and worker advocate/labor unions. The final report identifies challenges and opportunities for increasing the talent pool diversity, as well as including recommendations to increase access among underrepresented groups. Look for future blog posts highlighting other industries with strong career paths based on the findings.