Nuturing 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
