Tech Community Continues to Blossom in Northeast Ohio
While places like Silicon Valley, Austin, Seattle and Boston
typically come to mind when thinking of technology hotspots,
Northeast Ohio has grown a significant tech community of its own.
In fact, according to OHTec’s 2015 NEO Tech Industry Research Report, from
2011 to 2015, Northeast Ohio experienced an increase of over 130%
of tech companies employing more than 50 employees. As these
companies grow, Northeast Ohio continues to see the economic
benefits. While Northeast Ohio may not be on the same scale as
Austin or Seattle, the region is developing an important tech
community, which is fueling economic growth.
Regional Assets
As an industry, Northeast Ohio’s information technology
space boasts more than 20,000 employees, with average annual
earnings at more than $80,000. When factoring in all
computer-related occupations, which span across a variety of
industries, Northeast Ohio supports more than 41,000 employees.
Home to companies such as Hyland Software, TMW Systems, MCPc, MRI
Software, BlueBridge Networks and many, many more, the region has
an impressive portfolio of tech-related companies. In addition,
large companies like Progressive Insurance, Rockwell Automation and
other global brands employ hundreds of IT-related professionals and
are constantly looking to add more. This push for IT talent has
spurred the creation of several unique programs, designed
specifically to address the region’s IT talent
needs.
Addressing Region’s IT Talent Needs
For example, the Learning House based in Akron, which acquired
the Software Guild in 2015, offers an intensive,
fast-paced apprenticeship program where students learn how to be
software developers. Its curriculum is made up of a full-time,
12-week course that teaches either .NET/C# or Java to help students
acquire the skills needed for entry-level developer positions. The
Guild’s program not only teaches people to become proficient
in coding, but it also teaches how to learn the industry languages
in order to help keep skills fresh long after graduation.
Tech
Elevator is another organization looking to create a pool of IT
talent for Northeast Ohio. Based in Cleveland, Tech
Elevator’s mission is to empower its students to fulfill
their career potential, positioning itself as an intersection of
career changers and employers seeking to hire tech workers. It
offers a new way to learn through the coding bootcamp
revolution.
Tech Elevator’s coding bootcamp is an immersive 14-week
course that transforms software development novices into junior
developers. Just like The Guild, Tech Elevator offers training in
Java or .NET tracks. And, if a student does not get a job offer
within 120 days of graduating, Tech Elevator provides a full
refund.
We Can Code
IT is another local organization that has embraced the bootcamp
revolution. With a focus on diversity in technology and
engineering, We Can Code IT offers a five month, part-time bootcamp
as well as a three month, full-time bootcamp. Both programs enable
students to become certified software engineers upon their
completion.
Future Outlook
As programs like Software Guild, Tech Elevator and We Can Code
IT continue to graduate new classes of IT talent, their skills will
be in high demand. In looking at computer-related occupations,
Northeast Ohio is expected to add more than 500 jobs a year from
2015 through 2020. Compared to all occupations, computer-related
jobs represent the eighth strongest area of growth for our region,
furthering illustrating the importance of bootcamp programs like
those mentioned above.
While Northeast Ohio may never compete with the likes of Silicon
Valley or Boston, the region does boast a significant tech
community that should not be overlooked. As OHTec’s 2015 NEO
Tech Industry Research Report illustrated, tech companies
throughout Northeast Ohio are continuing to grow, further
positioning the region as a place for tech talent and
innovation.