The Tech Jobs Conundrum - Tools for Bridging the Confidence Gap - Policy and Workforce Resources

Sep 20, 2026

The Tech Jobs Conundrum examines the economic mismatch behind unfilled technology positions in the United States and the resulting confidence gap, especially for Americans without a four-year college degree. Drawing on CompTIA’s Cyberstates reporting and supporting research, it highlights certification and workforce initiatives, an IT professional association, and cyber workforce demand data. The piece also outlines programs addressing underserved communities and legislative ideas to expand apprenticeships, aiming to improve training pathways and talent supply.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryTechnology

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Overview of the tech jobs gap

CompTIA resources for policymakers

Certifications and IT workforce validation

AITP and career support

Cyberseek data and cybersecurity demand

IT Futures programs for underserved groups

CHANCE in Tech Act and apprenticeships

Stakes for the digital economy

The Tech Jobs Conundrum: Tools for Bridging the Confidence Gap The challenge of unfilled tech jobs has exposed an economic disconnect in the United States. Many Americans are worried about their jobs and future – especially if they don’t have a college degree. Yet, we can’t seem to find enough people to fill all the tech jobs we need. By 2024, there will be 1.8 million unfilled tech jobs, and a healthy number of those jobs likely will not require a four-year college degree. That’s according to the annual Cyberstates report, a guide to national, state, and metropolitan area tech sector and tech workforce analytics produced by the non-profit trade association CompTIA. As state legislators consider new economic policies for our fast-moving digital economy, it is important to understand the magnitude of the problem created by unfilled tech jobs and to have resources that can help find the best way to train, re-train and ensure Americans have the right skills to participate in tech jobs. In addition to Cyberstates, CompTIA has invested serious time and energy to researching and understanding both the confidence gap that is affecting the tech sector, and they have a number of resources that may be of interest to policymakers: • CompTIA is the leading global provider of vendor-neutral IT workforce certifications. Industry recognized certifications are a crucial tool to validating an individual’s specific technology skill sets —certifications that employers trust; that students can use to create a job-ready resume and find a good paying job; and that tech pros use to find employment and advance their careers. CompTIA also works extensively with federal and state governments to ensure that the government workforce is skilled and able to meet IT needs, and in particular, cybersecurity and information assurance. • Just announced in July, CompTIA has launched CompTIA AITP, an IT professional association for tech professionals. The technology industry is a primary contributor to economic growth and AITP provides resources from resume to retirement to support students, teachers and tech professionals so that we can fill the pipeline with next-gen workers. • With the advent of the Internet of Things, AI and other tech advancements, there is no doubt that demand for cybersecurity professionals will increase. To help identify cybersecurity workforce supply and demand, CompTIA partnered with data analytics firm Burning Glass Technologies, through a NIST grant, to create [Cyberseek.org](Cyberseek.org) which covers all 50 states and major metropolitan areas. [The data compiled on Cyberseek.org](The data compiled on Cyberseek.org) shows that there were 112,000 openings for Information Security Analysts in 2016, but only 96,870 workers employed in those positions. That annual talent shortfall of over 15,000 cybersecurity workers is a clear indication that we have a dangerous shortage of cybersecurity workers in the United States, which could leave our digital privacy and infrastructure at risk. • CompTIA’s philanthropic arm, Creating IT Futures, is implementing programs to reach underserved populations (women, minorities, veterans and the working poor) and create on-ramps for more people to prepare for, secure, and succeed in IT careers. Through its IT Ready Program, Early College STEM programs, NextUp mentoring program, and more, CompTIA is hoping to blaze a trail that will lead to replicable and scalable models that will lead to more people obtaining good paying jobs regardless of their educational attainment or socio-economic background. • Lastly, CompTIA has been a supporter of legislation in Congress called the Championing New Careers and Employees in Technolgy (CHANCE in Tech) Act. The proposal expands on work being done by industry and intermediaries focused on employer hiring needs, assessing and training workers, and mitigating some costs to the employer by allowing them to pay resonable salaries to their apprentices while

FAQs

How large is the projected unfilled tech jobs problem, and what does it imply?

The article cites the Cyberstates report stating that by 2024 there will be 1.8 million unfilled tech jobs. It implies an urgent talent and training challenge, including roles that may not require a four-year degree.

What resources does CompTIA offer to address the confidence gap and tech workforce needs?

CompTIA provides vendor-neutral IT certifications, research on the confidence gap, and initiatives supporting training and employment. It also discusses tools aimed at helping students, teachers, and tech professionals build career-ready skills.

How does Cyberseek.org illustrate cybersecurity workforce shortages?

Using data compiled on Cyberseek.org, the article notes 112,000 openings for Information Security Analysts in 2016 alongside 96,870 workers employed in those positions. It frames the resulting shortfall of over 15,000 as a risk to digital privacy and infrastructure.

Sep 20, 2026

Upload by Felix Montgomery