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WASHINGTON (Map, News) - The Washington area ranks as one of the top places in the country for high-tech jobs, according to a study released yesterday.
The region had the second-highest number of high-tech jobs among metropolitan areas, with almost 300,000, behind New York and ahead of Silicon Valley, according to the Cybercities 2008 report from electronics trade group AeA.
Washington also has the fifth-highest concentration of tech workers in the country, at 132 workers per 1,000 in 2006, well behind Silicon Valley, with 285.9 per 1,000.
The metro area has “the strongest economy in the nation,” the “most stable economy” among the top metropolitan areas, and “steady growth,” said Bobbie G. Kilberg, president and chief executive officer of the Northern Virginia Technology Council.
The region added 6,100 jobs from 2005 to 2006, a 2.1 percent increase.
The report closely follows the trade group’s April Cyberstates report, which found that Virginia had the highest concentration of high-tech jobs in the country.
Growth in Washington’s technology industry, like much of the country, plunged from 2001 to 2003 after the dot-com bubble burst, said Kilberg, but the growth since then beat out New York and Silicon Valley.
“Our technology diversity brought us [back] around sooner” from the tech bust, said Paul Villella, president and chief executive officer of Reston professional staffing firm Hire Strategy.
But tech job growth has slowed since 2006 as the economy has slowed, said several experts who track local employment trends.
The numbers “seem a little overstated to me” for 2008, Villella said.
The professional business and services sector, which includes tech but also lawyers, architects and other professionals, has accounted for about 40 percent of job growth in both 2006 and 2008. But job growth overall has declined, said John McClain, senior fellow and deputy director for George Mason University's Center for Regional Analysis.
The technology sector still is facing a talent shortage, with a dropoff in the number of tech graduates entering the local work force and an increased demand for workers to update companies’ capabilities, Villella said.
While unemployment nationwide was 5.5 percent in May, Villella estimated the local tech sector’s jobless rate is about 2.8 to 2.9 percent.
Companies in the area still have “lots of positions to fill,” Kilberg said.
wblake@dcexaminer.com
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Professionalism said:
As a recent college undergraduate I can tell you all this…. In a perfect world, all of the smiling, resume giving, and note taking you did at your college career fair would have paid off immediately after you were handed your 60k+ piece of sheep skin, but it does not. Most companies and government agencies now list a bachelors as their “minimum” requirements. Furthermore, many recruiters at career fairs (especial those on the federal side) are not really there to look for applicants, unless they have specialized skills (i.e. majored in engineering), they are just there to pass time. Unless you are privileged to have a “daddy” with connections on the inside, you are going to be in line with everyone else, and possibly even working at 7-11 to get by till your apps come through. *Bachelors Degrees are a dime a dozen, and what employers really look for is experience,contacts,and work history. Today, anyone with enough money can go to any major university and BUY a degree. Hetch, they ca
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Examiner Reader said:
You know, if your employee has low morale or does not like his job, they should leave, fire them, there are thousands of people looking for these good paying/benefit government jobs. You think adding 2 hours to a 8 hour day is going to get more done. No so, not in government, less work for more pay. They will playing games on the computer watching the clock to head home. If you would check you computers and dump everyone that has played a game, you would not have anyone working for the County. Next they will want a long lunch hour, more breaks because they have to work 2 more hours. Makes me sick to know they have low morale. QUIT YOUR JOB then.
2 agree | 2 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Well if the auditor's office is involved expect that report promptly in about 4 years.
13 agree | 3 disagree
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Baltimore said:
Big 20% raise for baltimore workers.Why don't they just stay home!
3 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the American corporations and businesses seeking higher profit margins for themselves lead to the loss of Jobs to China. I'm having difficulty naming 1 Chinese product or brand in the US market. The only solution is to bring these jobs back to America and have American workers get paid 0.40 cents an hour. This would be a win-win situation: corporations and manufacturers can continue making profits and American people can have jobs. Americans need to sacrifice for the greater good of American businesses.
3 agree | 6 disagree
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BuddyDuh said:
Yes, but I mean Why? With all that money there are why someone want to keep on paying low salaries anyway? If this is not some kind of modernisized slavery in camoflaging style? That is not acceptable specially talking about this great nation of the USA plus many more super rich countries from around the world. Is time to become fair with labor workers peoples. Left have some dignity by share money resources between the 'Modern Slavery Poors' system and break even. Why Not?
9 agree | 7 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Please note- Liz Rockey has already started a new position as a graphic artist, just days after her graduation. VJC has been highly successful in its career placement, with 98% of its students starting jobs in in their field within 6 months of graduation. The 10 year rate is 96%, even in difficult employment times.
15 agree | 14 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Currently, 94.9 percent of those who desire to work are employed. The news is GOOD for recent college grads. Sure, if you chose to major in African Studies or Art History, your choices are somewhat limited. One thing, though. If your went to a Baltimore City Public High School, you may want to down-play that on your resume. Good luck, Grads! Remember, Uncle Sam and his cousin MARY land get 35% off the top. Oh yes, I almost forgot...MD sales tax is another 6%. If you have to register your car, remember thats another 128.00 (or 180 for suv). Both milk and gas are 4.00 a gallon, so budget accordingly. Welcome aboard.
15 agree | 15 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
As usual, thousands of seniors graduate this month from Maryland universities, and like those before them will deal with the rewards of a free market economy. Some graduates will find that they majored in a field that has little practical value in the real world. They may be forced to take jobs in another field, teach, or work in government. No matter, each graduate will forced to find his way for better or worse. Some will whine and fail, others will persevere and succeed. It’s an individual choice that separates the wheat from the chaff.
14 agree | 14 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Hello, I'm writing because I'm asking for help for job and school opportunities for my ex con friend, thankyou.
487 agree | 295 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
They are called “discouraged workers” — experienced workers who have walked away from the job market, discouraged by low-paying jobs.
370 agree | 344 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Re: Cabinet leaders confirm more layoffs, FYI to readers...at the Department of Business & Economic Development, all the lay-offs WERE EHRLICH APPOINTEES who had excellent yearly evaluations. What does that tell you?
410 agree | 350 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Summer jobs and even part-time jobs during the school year are so important for teens! Work ethic is strengthened, confidence in working with the public is established - all of these traits that will benefit them in the future.
440 agree | 382 disagree
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King said:
Baltimore is a broken city. It's that simple. High taxes - High Crime, Bad Roads, Bad Schools Expensive Housing - No well paying jobs High Gas Prices - NO Good Public Transit. B-R-O-K-E-N
424 agree | 390 disagree
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Dear Acme said:
If you spent over $100,000 or more on your education, sorry chick, but Acme ain't cutting it! Those low wages won't even pay interest on the principal, let alone keep the lights on, food on the table and a roof over your head. It is unfortunate that people have to eke out a living on those wages. Criminal is more the word.
394 agree | 387 disagree
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Karl Chue said:
The 41% wage increase will result in a 35% job loss for young blacks, teenagers and high school dropouts. Please remember to thank the Democrats for looking out for young blacks, making the future brighter for teenagers and providing opportunities for high school dropouts. With such great job prospects, young blacks will easily be encouraged to not go down the path of drugs and gangs.
402 agree | 386 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
We are understaffed but we have always had that sign at ACME even pre-katrina. Research before you write. Sincerly, waitress at ACME
603 agree | 412 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
There is no doubt that Baltimore County's workforce is growing older. We have known for some time now that the Baby Boomers are at or nearing that golden time of retirement. Many in todays workforce may be eligible for retirement in five years. Except for the general employees of the Baltimore County Government, many of whom, are in both skilled and unskilled laborers jobs at agencies such as the Dept. of Public Works or Recreation & Parks. Workers whom make sure our sewers don't back up, the traffic signals function properly, the roads stay in good shape, or the park grounds stay neatly mowed. The County Administration is working hard to get their own employees to work until they just drop dead. After all then they won't have to pay out all those Other Post Employment Retirement Benefits such as health care.
1,205 agree | 510 disagree
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