CES highlights need for skilled IT workers

Innovators and creators from across the globe will descend upon Las Vegas this week, introducing what they hope will be the next life-changing piece of technology at CES, which begins Wednesday.

The largest trade show in the world, held in Las Vegas since the late 1970s, is known for debuting some of the most well-known gadgets that are, or were, essentials for the average American. Household names and products such as the camcorder, CD player, Xbox and Blu-ray player were introduced at CES. New technologies continue to emerge every year, including the latest smartphones, wearable tech devices and Wi-Fi enabled appliances.

In 2015, a record 170,000 attendees from more than 150 countries gathered to check out exhibits from 3,600 companies. In October, CES was named the fastest growing show by Trade Show Executive.

CES is the poster child for providing a platform for innovation. And because that innovation is leading to more technology, the demand for skilled information technology professionals continues to grow at a rate faster than the average occupation in the United States.

Las Vegas is quickly becoming an IT-centric economy. In fact, Clark County is home to more than 37,000 IT professionals, a figure that is expected to grow by more than 10 percent by 2023.

This is helping to establish Las Vegas as a thriving hub for the technology industry. As the home to Zappos.com, the largest online shoe store, and Supernap, one of the world's most advanced technology ecosystems, the city is leading the state's efforts to attract more information technology companies.

While all of this innovation is exciting, it has led to a shortage of properly trained IT professionals that spans beyond the Silver State. Around the country, good-paying jobs are going unfilled because there are not enough qualified applicants.

To close the skills gap, leaders in education must share a common goal to prepare the next generation of technology professionals with an education that is agile, relevant and experiential. Students need to graduate with the skills necessary to enter the workforce seamlessly, ready to rise to challenges and adapt to changes in the industry, starting with their first day on the job.

The demand for skilled technology professionals provides a great opportunity for those in Las Vegas looking for a career in an industry with the potential for growth and advancement. Educators have begun adjusting their programs to meet this need.

And if you play your cards right, your idea just might be the next big one to come out of CES.

— Dennis Bonilla is executive dean of the University of Phoenix College of Information Systems and Technology.