With a national IT labor shortage likely to emerge over the next decade, the Society for Information Management is extending its IT career programs to high school students.

Several demographic studies indicate that labor shortages are possible. For example, AMR Research Inc. found that 76 million Americans will reach retirement age during the next 10 years. And SIM predicts that enrollment in college IT courses is
dropping by 40% annually.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Technology estimates that about 2.5 million IT jobs will have been created in the U.S. between 2000 and 2010. The AEA estimates that the number of IT workers stood at 5.6 million at the end of 2005.

To help address the anticipated IT labor shortfall, SIM plans this year to expand its college IT career programs to high school students.

The organization intends to reach out to high school students and guidance counselors by drawing upon a program created by its Dallas chapter, said Leo Collins, SIMs vice president of advocacy and communities of interest.