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Nurturing Technology: A well-educated and trainable workforce is the key asset
By: Thomas Pitre  

All growth of technology is moot, in the face of the other factors which come into play, when the move toward technological-based economy is a focus of local and regional governments and industry. If area governments wish to nurture technology, they must consider other factors before building a technological infrastructure. The following issues have to be addressed, first.

Work Force Training

If someone graduates from a local college with a degree in technology, do they stay in the area, or move to an area that is in need of high-tech or "gold-collar" workers? Those states that have been, and remain successful in attracting high-technology firms, are those that have a highly educated and trainable work force.

The Entrepreneurial Climate

Do the local small businesses benefit from larger companies in the area? They must consider the changes in the tax base, incentives offered to larger companies, availability of qualified and experienced workers, etc.

Although small businesses create the majority of jobs in the United States, communities tend to focus on industrial recruitment first. Most people, including many businesspeople, equate small business with retail, and this is a stereotype that must be overcome. Many potential entrepreneurs, which ordinarily promise high school and college graduates with some business experience, or at best, a paid internship, leave the region to pursue a "higher return" on their time and effort.

The Major Asset

A well-educated and trainable workforce is the key asset. This not only means that the quality of the education is good, but that graduates have relevant work waiting for them, locally, after graduation. I am familiar enough with local education, having taught locally, to know that many programs that offer high-tech training cannot or do not place graduates in local businesses, nor do they have any affiliation with local labor or partnerships (similar to The Joint Training and Partnership Act [JTPA]) to arrange direct placement for graduates. Of course, if a school did not have courses, it would be out of "business."

When I worked for several private and public schools elsewhere, we arranged employed prior to the student entering the program. We were contracted with the employer for direct placement before the student entered the classroom. In light of high-tech training, we have to ask, how many certified, software technicians can this area support, or how many certified and credentialed graphic artists or multimedia specialists can find work in the area? JTPA info at:
http://www.wdsc.org/layoff/title3.htm

A lot of time and money is expended on various studies, experts, consultants, focus groups, SME's (subject matter experts), before any program is even put into trial. Some issues are either played down, or ignored altogether. Entrepreneurs, at the core of local development, want an accessible clearinghouse for business information, training, and support. Generally, successful and emerging entrepreneurs understand the importance of technology and are not afraid to adopt it. This is only after they have an understanding of it, and have a basic education in its use, design, application, cost and the time it would take for them to come up to speed.

Entrepreneurs cannot take the time out of their schedules to drive to a physical location to take a class or attend a seminar. Word-of-mouth is the most powerful tool for advertising services, and possibly the best method for disseminating information about putting technology to work for them.

"John" tells "Ron" about his new computer, and explains how his internet connection allows him to place orders and have product drop-shipped to his on-line customers. He does not need a warehouse, and he can work from his home office. Ron adopts the technology, and tells his friend, Susan, how she is able to communicate while on the road, by receiving faxes through her email - at no cost, and on the East and West Coast.

Most entrepreneurs learn by doing, so existing classes and seminars are not compatible with their learning modality (education's name for learning style.) That is, entrepreneurs are active learners; tied to real problems they are currently facing. To complicate the issue, many small businesspersons believe that state governments are more concerned with attracting outside industry than in helping homegrown businesses succeed and prosper.

In North Carolina, The Research Triangle Park concept began with strong support of the state political leaders, including funding support from the state. This included communicating with the state legislature and administration, and getting and keeping support of the elected and appointed officials. It also included working with other economic development organizations in the state, region and cities involved. RTP at: http://www.rtp.org/rtphome.html

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Thomas Pitre is educational consultant and data miner in Sequim, Washington. As the owner of Thomas Pitre Associates he delivers on-line training and instructional design via the Web. Email address is: thomas@pitreassociates.com, Web site: http://pitreassociates.com