How many tech jobs will Obama create?

While it is still uncertain how President-elect Barack Obama's economic stimulus plan will affect various industries, it's widely held that it could lead to a major boom in tech jobs. After all, he has promised more bandwidth at the nation's schools, major investments in health IT and other investments that could only fuel tech hiring.

Katherine McGuire, vice president of government relations at the Business Software Alliance, said if Obama's "pro-tech agenda" is pushed forward in its entirety, the nation could see a 10 percent gain in tech jobs. That would mean an increase of about 300,000 high-paying IT jobs. McGuire also said that Obama's economic plans would drive growth across the entire economy, and that would spur more demand for IT help, too.

Mark Barnekow, executive vice president of mergers and acquisition at iTrade Network Inc., offered a lower estimate but also sees IT growth from the Obama plan. He said between 50,000 and 100,000 tech jobs might be saved or created by the stimulus. He said his projections are based on expected tax credits to small businesses, a loosening of credit, rewards for companies that employ American workers, clean technology efforts, retraining for workers, and science, research and broadband investments.
 
For more on tech jobs:
- see this Computerworld.com article

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