President’s Message

Whether you follow the news or just go out to get a bite to eat, you’ve likely heard various versions of that refrain lately. Employers have been looking for people to fill positions, whether it’s to build a house or pour a cup of coffee.

For years, I’ve heard that same question but in a different context. Arizona has missed more than a few opportunities to draw technology companies because their leaders complained there was not enough trained talent to meet their needs. So, the jobs went elsewhere.

As we look to a new year, I’m excited to report the tide has turned. 

Admittedly, we still have our work cut out for us. The mad scramble for talent is going to continue to be a challenge. There are so many open positions in just about every industry. That’s especially true in tech because of the growth. It’s business creation, business expansion and business attraction going on at once. 

Thanks to the efforts of the Arizona Technology Council and its partners, however, the seeds have been planted for a talent bonanza.

An example is our work with the Greater Phoenix Chamber that created the Cybersecurity Workforce Collaborative to develop a continuum of workplace experiences and share best practices to expand these opportunities. One of the resulting products is AZCyberTalent.com, a website that brings together students, employees, employers and educators in the state’s cybersecurity ecosystem.

On another front, the Council in collaboration with Pipeline AZ and the Partnership for Economic Innovation has launched the Arizona IT/Cyber Career Network, a scalable, online platform that connects employers with technology talent in the state’s IT and cybersecurity sector. The IT/Cyber Career Network platform went live in mid-2021 and can be found at ITCyberCareers.com.

Arizona State University also has risen to the occasion. The Council is part of a collaborative funded by an $8-million ASU-led U.S. Department of Labor grant to establish the Arizona Workforce Training Accelerator Partnership for Next Generation Jobs (AZNext). The partnership’s goal is to enhance regional competitiveness, helping to address workforce shortages and train workers for high-paying, high-demand jobs in advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity and information technology.

Separately, the National Science Foundation awarded nearly $10 million to increase Latinx representation in STEM degrees and careers. The grant was awarded to the Accelerate Latinx Representation in STEM Education (ALRISE) Alliance, a collaborative group of the Council and other institutions and organizations that are led by ASU’s Center for Broadening Participation in STEM to share resources, data, research and best practices.

The Council also is fortunate to build its own talent pool with new members of the team. Joining us in 2021 were Karla Morales, vice president, Southern Arizona; Bianca Buliga, director, marketing and communications; and Darryle Emerson, director, programs and events.

And, of course, I can’t forget our members and the talent they develop every day. Their economic prowess and ability to generate the high-quality, high-paying jobs necessary to propel our economy forward leave me anxious to see what lies ahead.