I'm a pretty avid reader of newspaper and magazine articles related to the search for IT talent and if I ever miss out on something, I can always rely on the blogosphere to identify the things I miss. And even though James McGovern alerted me to this article about lack of available talent in Massachusetts, I can't help but think that this is just more of the same.
I have read more articles than I can count about the lack of IT talent, the impending retirement of the Baby Boomers and the low percentage of tech grads coming out of college. We can certainly set up programs to meet these challenges and, according to the article, the Bay State appears to be doing so. But all of that is for naught is companies don't make the investment in hiring these individuals and training them to grow with their company.
Too many times corporations make hiring decisions based on their most immediate project needs or, in the case of the executive offices, what will best placate their shareholders. The companies that I enjoy having as clients are the ones that have the vision to hire for the long term and look beyond their quarterly numbers.
Having 'heavy hitters' who can come in and solve the most immediate problems is important, don't get me wrong. But that hiring strategy must be tempered with individuals who can grow with a firm and provide long term benefits. Maybe interview processes need to be altered to identify those candidates that can provide that potential.
What makes the New York Yankees so good? They spend the money on 'heavy hitters' but they also have one of the best farm systems in baseball.
Nurturing talent is the key to success.
