But if Latinos remain under-represented in technology, Illinois will not be able to keep up, much less lead in industries that will serve as the backbone of the new economy.
As the state navigates through the greatest economic crisis in decades, traditional economic development strategies are giving way to technological innovation and new products and services. The state has a growing need for more Latino scientists, engineers, mathematicians, technologists and skilled technicians who can drive development in high technology.
Key Findings- Latinos comprise nearly 15% of Illinois’ population, but less than 5% of its technology workforce.
- Latinos in science and engineering earn lower median salaries than all science and engineering workers, $60,000 for Latinos in 2003 compared to $66,000 for all workers.
- While improvements are slowly being realized in the numbers of Latinos working in technology occupations and in the share of technology jobs held by Latinos, they do not approach the proportion of Latinos in the workforce. Illinois’ economy has benefited from the growth in the number of Latinos but is taking little advantage of this in knowledge-based industries that are key to the state’s long-term economic health.
- Latinos are under-represented in high technology and information technology and in science and engineering.
Recommendations
- Organizations and state and local development agencies and area and Latino chambers of commerce should convene and regularly host Latino networking gatherings and inventor/innovator forums.
- City and state development agencies and area and Latino chambers of commerce should develop and maintain intelligence on Latino markets in the US and in Latin America.
- Organizations should develop and maintain a database of Latino-owned or operated production and service capabilities in Illinois able to serve high tech businesses and needs.