| A small group of local leaders from various tech industries gave their view in October on the pulse of the local economic and technological progress. A roundtable organized by the West Sound Technology Professionals Association with the topic of “Tangible Strides” included Paladin Data CEO and President Jim Nall, Olympic Property Group President Jon Rose, Olympic College Business and Technology Dean Richard Strand, Kitsap Economic Development Interim Executive Director Kathy Cocus, and Poulsbo City Councilman Ed Stern (also senior vice president of investments for UBS Financial Services Inc.).
One of the themes that emerged at the forum, which included a question and answer format, was about shortage of technology professionals and lack of interest in general in the tech sector from young people, despite demand and high wages.
“The jobs are there, the pay is good; it’s a question of getting the people (to get their education) and getting them into the workforce,” Strand said.
Rose said one of the reasons the area may be lacking “knowledge-based” workers is because of the quality of life, geography, and the small size of technology industry. Those in the tech sector and similar industries like to be close to the Interstate 5 corridor, where the big companies are concentrated, because often times those professionals have to change companies to move up.
“There are not many compelling reasons (for companies) for being here. When people move their business here, it’s an emotional decision, not a business one,” Rose said, adding that most Kitsap area businesses employ one to 10 people. “A 12-person company in Poulsbo is a headline,” he said.
The panelists agreed there is great potential for economic prosperity in the county, and those days are still ahead. Stern said projects such as the countywide fiberoptic network will bring new opportunities to the area. He sees telecommuting as the way of the future and a way to improve the congestion, by taking knowledge workers off the roads.
“(The fiberoptic network) is a transportation network,” he said, adding that the “business park of the future” is the virtual office located in a person’s home.
The roundtable was the WSTPA’s fifth annual event and included a technology showcase. In addition to being a networking organization for technology professionals, the nonprofit is focused on building awareness and public education.
“WSTPA is for everybody,” said organization Vice President Charles Keating. “Everybody has to be comfortable with technology these days. The goal of the association is to make sure everybody has a resource to go to for their computer issues, which will not get any easier with time.”
Upcoming WSTPA events include a presentation on robotics in January, and a Microsoft Windows Vista presentation on Nov. 14. For more information, visit www.wstpa.org. | 