State ups efforts to recruit for jobs in math, science

By JOSHUA BENDER
Capital News Service
LANSING — A shortage of qualified information technology workers is hurting Michigan businesses, experts say. Information technology – often referred to as IT – encompasses computer programming and data management in industries as diverse as health care and auto manufacturing, said Chris Knapp, the information technology and media talent director for the state’s Workforce Development Agency. “IT is embedded in just about every industry and every kind of company out there,” Knapp said. In March 2016 there were 15,000 online job advertisements for openings in Michigan requiring math and computer skills, according to the Conference Board Help Wanted Online Database, a group collecting data on Internet job hunting statistics. These ads made up nearly a tenth of all online jobs ads for the state.