Firms reported significant difficulty in finding workers for high technology jobs. More than two-thirds of businesses that hire Computer Engineers or Analysts, Engineers, Laboratory or Technical Personnel, and Computer Technicians or Operators reported difficulty in finding qualified workers. These workers are a critical component of Maryland's high technology sector. Qualified graduates from high school vocational programs are in demand. Employers also reported needs for graduates from college and university scientific and technical programs.
Businesses rely on past work experience in hiring high school level workers.
The most important reasons for providing training were to increase worker productivity or to improve technical skills. Suggested State Action Items Businesses considered programs to improve the available pool of qualified applicants to be the most important action items that should be considered by the state government. The state's workforce is one of Maryland's most important competitive assets. Nearly every study of economic development or business site selection places the availability of skilled workers as one of the chief determinants of state economic growth. It is the foundation on which Maryland's success in key industries such as business services and high technology is built.