America purges 240,000 Tech Jobs during 2009

engineering careers were lost last year, according tomore jobs and ratchet the economy forward."
a TechAmerica Foundation Cyberstates statement."> "While it weathered the storm better than the
Several of the lost tech jobs had been in techprivate sector at large, the U.S. high-tech industry
centers such as California and Texas.clearly felt the effect of the recession in 2009,"
California Engineer careers amounted to nearly 1mentioned TechAmerica Head Phil Bond.
million out of the 5.9 million employed nationally in theSoftware Engineer Jobs have come to be all the
software and hardware trade. In second place wasmore competitive in the US Tech Trade. It was of
Texas from 492,000. Rounding out the top five waslate reported that around a quarter million tech
New York, 309,000; Florida, at 292,000 and Virginia,administrative and engineering careers were lost last
283,000. This state data is for 2008 when hiring cutsyear, according to a TechAmerica Foundation
were only beginning.Cyberstates statement. Several of the lost tech jobs
“As the largest tech economy in the country,had been in tech centers such as California and
California is experiencing these trends firsthand,”Texas.
said Kevin Carroll, regional director of TechAmericaCalifornia Engineer careers amounted to nearly 1
Southern California.million out of the 5.9 million employed nationally in the
The examination found that 5.9 million Americanssoftware and hardware trade. In second place was
were being employed in the hardware and softwareTexas from 492,000. Rounding out the top five was
engineering business in 2009, a decline of 245,600New York, 309,000; Florida, at 292,000 and Virginia,
jobs, or 4 percent, from the year just before. In283,000. This state data is for 2008 when hiring cuts
totality private sector employment decreased 5.2were only beginning.
percent in 2009. The biggest deficits came in“As the largest tech economy in the country,
high-tech manufacturing, where employment declinedCalifornia is experiencing these trends firsthand,”
8.1 percent in 2009. By contrast, employment fell 3.9said Kevin Carroll, regional director of TechAmerica
percent in communications services, 1.2 percent inSouthern California.
software services, and 3.6 percent in tech andThe examination found that 5.9 million Americans
engineering services.were being employed in the hardware and software
High-tech manufacturing employment wereengineering business in 2009, a decline of 245,600
dramatically effected, losing 112,600 jobs (8 percent)jobs, or 4 percent, from the year just before. In
in the U.S., but San Diego is not a high-techtotality private sector employment decreased 5.2
manufacturing hub, Carroll said, so the impact here ispercent in 2009. The biggest deficits came in
expected to be negligible. In 2008 the Golden Statehigh-tech manufacturing, where employment declined
pushed the U.S. high-tech sector. It employed8.1 percent in 2009. By contrast, employment fell 3.9
993,300 personnel at 42,300 companies in 2008.percent in communications services, 1.2 percent in
High-tech individuals in California attained a standardsoftware services, and 3.6 percent in tech and
annual wage of $105,500.engineering services.
California listed first in the U.S. in computer systemsHigh-tech manufacturing employment were
design occupations; internet and telecommunicationsdramatically effected, losing 112,600 jobs (8 percent)
services occupations; research and development andin the U.S., but San Diego is not a high-tech
testing labs occupations; and engineering servicesmanufacturing hub, Carroll said, so the impact here is
occupations in 2008. Despite job losses in high-techexpected to be negligible. In 2008 the Golden State
across the country, software services showed somepushed the U.S. high-tech sector. It employed
development, including 10,100 jobs inside the fourth993,300 personnel at 42,300 companies in 2008.
quarter of 2009.High-tech individuals in California attained a standard
TechAmerica's president and CEO,Phil Bond,annual wage of $105,500.
announced that one of the things his organization isCalifornia listed first in the U.S. in computer systems
striving from Congress to assist progress the techdesign occupations; internet and telecommunications
industry environment overall is an extension of theservices occupations; research and development and
research and development tax credit, that istesting labs occupations; and engineering services
definitely "grievously overdue." Without having thisoccupations in 2008. Despite job losses in high-tech
tax credit, "we are de facto encouraging theacross the country, software services showed some
outsourcing of innovation around the world," Bonddevelopment, including 10,100 jobs inside the fourth
said.quarter of 2009.
The group is furthermore suggesting the U.S.TechAmerica's president and CEO,Phil Bond,
Department of Health and Human Services toannounced that one of the things his organization is
motivate progress on its health IT programs. Bondstriving from Congress to assist progress the tech
said health IT "will require tens of thousands" ofindustry environment overall is an extension of the
brand new remarkably trained workers and will haveresearch and development tax credit, that is
"a very positive, stimulative effect" on jobdefinitely "grievously overdue." Without having this
generation.tax credit, "we are de facto encouraging the
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineersoutsourcing of innovation around the world," Bond
(IEEE-USA) looks at employment progress in thesaid.
engineering sector, and reported that hiring grewThe group is furthermore suggesting the U.S.
7.8% from the last quarter of 2009 to the firstDepartment of Health and Human Services to
quarter of 2010. Tech engineering employment wasmotivate progress on its health IT programs. Bond
basically constant quarter to quarter, but stays 5.3%said health IT "will require tens of thousands" of
above its first-quarter 2009 low, the IEEE said.brand new remarkably trained workers and will have
IEEE-USA President Evelyn Hirt reported in a"a very positive, stimulative effect" on job
statement that "re-employed engineers, scientistsgeneration.
and other technology professionals will help create