Technology has become a central part of our lives. From mobile phones to smart homes and connected cars, technology is becoming more ingrained in all areas of society. With this rise in technology comes the need for more tech professionals.

According to a recent report by LinkedIn, the demand for tech jobs will increase by 20 percent nationally over the next decade. The report also found that the demand for tech jobs is growing three times faster than other job sectors.

Unfortunately, this demand will not be met without intervention. In many cases, an insufficient number of workers are available to meet demand; in others, few individuals are interested in working as a tech professional or have the necessary skillset to begin working in this field as soon as possible.

As such, we’re left with a serious shortage of tech professionals that can only be solved with proactive solutions from governments, businesses and private individuals alike – especially with regards to creating new tech jobs and increasing retention among existing employees.

Establish A Culture Where People Want To Stay

There’s no better way to start the process of creating more tech jobs than by creating a culture where tech employees want to stay. If people don’t like their workplace and they aren’t happy, they’ll be less likely to stay on board or recommend the company as a great place to work. In some cases, they might not even be able to stay on the job due to familial obligations, physical or mental health concerns or a variety of other reasons.

There are a few ways companies can create such a culture. The first begins with effective leadership and a strong vision for the future. Without it, teams will lack direction, morale will suffer and productivity will fall behind. Furthermore, leaders must be accessible to employees and willing to listen to feedback and suggestions.

Employee satisfaction can be improved by instituting policies that help improve work-life balance. This can include offering flexible work schedules and paid parental leave. It can also mean adopting a remote-friendly culture that allows employees to work from home.

Hiring And Retention Strategies

To increase the number of tech jobs available, we must attract more tech talent. However, many people are reluctant to pursue a tech-related career due to the common misconception that they must have an advanced degree in computer science or engineering.

This is simply not the case. Many entry-level tech positions, including customer service representatives, software engineers and data analysts, require only a two-year degree. In fact, most U.S. employers prefer candidates with an associate degree or post-secondary certificate over a bachelor’s degree.

Still, there are additional ways companies can entice tech job candidates to apply, including offering competitive salaries, benefits and flexible work schedules. Employers can also create a hiring process that is accessible and transparent. In many cases, the application process is long, drawn-out and difficult to navigate. This frustrates candidates, who are less likely to apply for the job.

Invest In Infrastructure

Technology has always been a cyclical business. There have been times of unprecedented growth and times where the industry has slowed down. We’re in a period of slowing down right now, which leaves many tech companies struggling to meet their revenue targets. More importantly, this slowdown has led to a lack of investment in infrastructure, which has created a shortage in tech jobs.

If we want to create more tech jobs, we need to reinvest in the industry. This means companies must invest in new technologies and products, like artificial intelligence and IoT, that will drive the industry forward. It also means that governments must invest in R&D and education programs that will ensure the next generation of tech professionals has the necessary skillset to fill these new positions.

Partner With Educational Institutions

Students are graduating with STEM-related degrees at an alarming rate. Unfortunately, many of these students aren’t actively pursuing a career in the field. Instead, they’re looking to enter other industries, such as finance, marketing and communications.

If we want to create tech jobs, we must partner with educational institutions and encourage students to pursue a career in STEM. There are a few ways companies can do this. The first is by investing in education. Companies can sponsor student events, like hackathons and robotics competitions, and provide grants and scholarships to students pursuing a degree in STEM or entrepreneurship.

Businesses can also partner with educational institutions by hiring students. This gives students an opportunity to gain real-world experience and receive a paycheck while they’re in school.

Offer Diverse Career Paths For Women And Minorities

Women and minorities are essential to growing the tech industry and creating new tech jobs. Women currently make up just 32 percent of the tech workforce, but account for 51 percent of the population.

Similarly, people of color make up 30 percent of the overall population, but only 16 percent of the tech workforce. As such, we must create new tech jobs that offer diverse career paths and opportunities for advancement.

Companies can do this by creating inclusive hiring practices, offering mentorship and coaching opportunities for new employees and investing in leadership training for middle- and upper-level managers. Organizations can also partner with organizations like Girls Who Code, CODE2040 and National Society of Black Engineers to provide support and resources to students interested in pursuing a tech career.

Extended Conclusion

All signs point to an increased demand for tech jobs over the next decade. If we want to create more tech jobs and sustain our digital future, we must invest in infrastructure, partner with educational institutions and offer diverse career paths for women and minorities. Organizations can also create a culture where people want to stay and hire and retention strategies that entice tech job candidates to apply.