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Diversity, education key issues for Utah’s tech industry

SLAKE CITY — While the rise of Utah’s tech sector graphs like a hockey stick, leaders in the industry aren’t squeamish about identifying what factors could derail growth or send it on a downward spiral.

On day 2 of the Silicon Slopes Tech Summit, education and diversity figured largely in discussions of issues that need to be confronted to ensure continued vibrance.

Pluralsight CEO Aaron Skonnard took the main stage at the Salt Palace Friday morning and exhorted attendees to sign a letter to Utah legislators that includes some stark statistics reflecting current unfilled tech jobs in the state and the related upstream issues of lack of opportunity in K-12 computer science courses.

“According to the conference board, there are more than 4,000 current open computing jobs in Utah, with an average salary of over $81,000, nearly double the average salary in the state,” the letter reads in part. “At the same time, only 405 exams were taken in AP computer science by high school students in Utah in 2017.”

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