There may be a talent shortage coming along for highly qualified IT talent, experts warn.

Although the last year has been tough on everyone, including IT workers, there are predictions that the next few years will see an explosion in the number of IT-related jobs available. That will make it hard to hire and keep employees with tech skills, according to an article from DocuCrunch.com.

Experts say one of the driving forces will come from the federal government for more computerization in the health industry. The stimulus plan earmarked $19 billion for hospitals and doctors' offices to move to e-health records with penalties for those that don't make the switch by 2015.

The feds are expected to increase spending in other IT areas, such as energy research and green building projects, and that will trickle down to many private companies.

The upshot: Experts estimate they'll be anywhere from 41,000 to 200,000 new jobs, Dr. William Hersh of Oregon Health & Science University tells DocuCrunch.com.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics agrees. It estimates demand for network systems and data communications analytics will go up more than 50 percent by more than 50 percent. Demand for other IT skills such as database administration will rise at least 20 percent, BLS said.

You've heard it before, we're sure, but these predictions don't always come to pass. Budget constraints have kept IT departments from growing and kept departments understaffed.

Who knows what the future holds? It's good to hear these predictions. It's better when they come true.

For more on IT growth:
- see this DocuCrunch.com article

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