THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

120

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING the Department of labor and industrial relations to Collect data relating to the development of an information technology workforce in Hawaii, Evaluate the collected data, and develop a strategy to provide better information technology training.

 

 


     WHEREAS, information technology has become a significant component of Hawaii's economy that propels the prosperity of the State as an economic driver that covers a wide range of industries; and

 

     WHEREAS, according to the "Hawaii IT Workforce Needs Report" published in November 2021 by SMS Research and Marketing Services, Inc., the information technology industry contributed $2,037,000,000 or 2.2 percent to Hawaii's total nominal gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018; and

 

     WHEREAS, despite not contributing as much nominal GDP as the real estate, accommodations, and retail industries, the information technology industry had the highest annual real GDP growth rate among all sectors between 2001 and 2018 at 4.9 percent; and

 

     WHEREAS, in 2020, the information technology sector in Hawaii encompassed 12,740 jobs; 3,834 hires; and 894 average annual job openings; and

 

     WHEREAS, the average hourly wage for Hawaii's technology industry is $39.92, which is more than double the $15.53 survival level hourly wage for individuals in the State as reported in the 2020 ALICE Report for Hawaii; and

 

     WHEREAS, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that the projected increase in computer and technology occupations between 2020 to 2030 is thirteen percent nationally; however, the projected employment increase in the computer and mathematics occupation group in Hawaii between 2018 and 2028 is limited to seven percent; and

 

     WHEREAS, the demand for employees in the information technology field in Hawaii exceeds the number of available individuals seeking jobs in the industry; and

 

     WHEREAS, ensuring that the State's workforce has an adequate and efficient education in information technology is essential for the continued growth of Hawaii's economy; and

 

     WHEREAS, to develop a thriving information technology workforce, the State must improve various aspects of its workforce development programs; and

 

     WHEREAS, one of the fundamental components of building a robust qualified workforce is the collection of relevant data that will enable better evaluation of available programs and contribute to better planning for the future; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations is requested to:

 

     (1)  Collect data relating to the development of an information technology workforce in Hawaii, which should include but not be limited to:

 

          (A)  Courses, trainings, and programs currently being offered in Hawaii relating to information technology;

 

          (B)  Information technology internship programs offered by public and private organizations in Hawaii;

 

          (C)  Certifications and licenses relating to information technology issued in Hawaii, including:

 

               (i)  The category or type of certifications and licenses; and

 

              (ii)  The number of certificates and licenses issued each year by category or type;

 

          (D)  Current information on the individuals who completed the courses, training, or programs, or obtained the certificates or licenses, including:

 

               (i)  Their occupation;

 

              (ii)  The industry they work in; and

 

             (iii)  The state or county in which they currently reside; and

 

          (E)  Average compensation of technology-related jobs in the private and public sectors;

 

     (2)  Evaluate the collected data and develop a strategy to provide better information technology training to individuals and retain them in Hawaii to build a flourishing information technology workforce in Hawaii; and

 

     (3)  Submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2024; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and Director of Labor and Industrial Relations.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Information Technology Workforce; Data Collection; Department of Labor and Industrial Relations