High-Tech Employee Shortage in Austin
Austin has been attracting and developing tech companies at such an alarming rate that the tech employee pool is rapidly depleting. Companies are being forced to go to California in search of workers.

September 15, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Austin is battling to become the next Silicon Valley. While Austin is obviously well-known as the birthplace of Dell Computers, in recent years Austin has also created and attracted some of the most ground-breaking tech companies in the country. While this dramatic increase in Austin's tech industry is certainly good for Austin, it has consequently led to a shortage in Austin's tech workforce.

Austin Tech Boom

Not only are start-up tech companies establishing themselves in Austin, but the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce has been working on getting more companies to relocate to Austin. In the last year, 28 companies either moved to or began operations in Austin. Of these 28, nine were from California, including Facebook, which opened a 200-employee office in Austin.

California tech companies see Austin as an excellent alternative location, due in part to lower business costs and young talent from University of Texas. In the last few months, Main Street Hub, a social media from San Francisco, and 58Phases, an online marketing company, have both moved to Austin.

Tech Employee Pool Depleted

One unfortunate side-effect of Austin's rapid growth is the depletion of its tech workforce - with companies competing over the remaining talent. Tech positions, such as data engineers, software engineers and product marketers, are in demand by tech companies like eBay Inc., Polycom Inc. and Electronic Arts Inc.

Because of the shortage of tech workers, 30 Austin high-tech CEOs are traveling to California this month to recruit new talent. The goal of the trip is to talk to potential employees one-on-one in an attempt to have them relocate to Austin.

The recruiting trip was first conceived in May, during a CEO summit sponsored by the Austin Technology Council. During the summit, tech companies realized that the tight market for tech talent in Austin could hinder the industry's growth. Companies taking part in the recruiting trip - such as Bazaarvoice, Calxeda, HomeAway, Gowalla and BancVue - feel that California talent can fill the gaps in their tech employee needs.

When it comes to the size its tech workforce, Austin is a victim of its own success - a type of victim most metro areas would love to be. Tech companies in Austin continue to thrive even in bad economic times. If you are a tech business owner interested in either relocating to Austin or establishing your company in Austin, contact an experienced attorney in Austin for help navigating Texas business law.

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