Washington, D.C.—Oct. 25, 2012—The latest job report from the TechAmerica Foundation shows the U.S. high-tech industry added nearly 100,000 jobs between January and June of 2012, a 1.7 percent gain. The report found job growth in three of the four following sectors within the high-tech industry: tech manufacturing; communications services; software services; and engineering and tech services.
During the 18 months examined in the report, the U.S. tech industry saw monthly job gains in 16 of the 18 months, with employment growing from 5.8 million to nearly six million, an increase of 3.3 percent or nearly 200,000.
“The technology industry is adding jobs as new innovations are helping to propel the tech industry forward, “ said Matthew Kazmierczak, Senior Vice President, TechAmerica Foundation. “Tech employment as of June 2012 stood at nearly six million, compared to 5.8 million just 18 months ago. While the growth has been modest, it is up and fairly consistent. With job growth in three of the four tech sectors, we remain optimistic about continued growth into the future.”
During the first half of 2012, technology employment grew in software services (+50,800), engineering and tech services (+49,900), and technology manufacturing (+9,200). The communications services industry experienced a decline of some 10,700 net jobs during the same period, as the wired telecommunications industry continues to adjust to changing market conditions.
“A strong and vibrant technology industry is critical to supporting an economic recovery—and while the tech industry has weathered the downturn better than most, we can’t take its strength for granted,” said Jennifer Kerber, President, TechAmerica Foundation. “Global economic and market forces continue to put the technology industry in a position of intense competition—a competition for innovation, where labor and intellectual property provide the foundation for growth. America can only realize the full promise of an innovation economy with smarter public policies focused on developing and attracting the best talent, investing in research and development and growing and securing our information infrastructure.”
For more report details, visit http://bit.ly/SiENhc.
