According to a recent survey of midsized and large U.S. companies, approximately 190,000 information technology (IT) jobs are unfilled because of a shortage of qualified workers. The formal, four-year education system is producing only a small proportion of the workers required. IT workers can also obtain skills from two-year associate degree-granting community colleges, private-sector computer learning centers, in-house company training, and computer user groups. Severe shortages of IT workers could undermine U.S. innovation, productivity, and competitiveness in world markets. Among the factors contributing to the shortage of IT workers are the following: decline in the numbers of computer and information sciences degrees awarded; mismatches between what universities teach and what industry needs; industry practices and expectations; the need to retrain workers; underrepresentation of women and minorities in the computer science education pipeline; and limitations on immigration of skilled workers. Increasing the U.S. supply of adequately trained IT workers will require the following: better indicators and statistics; better understanding of linkages between engineering, science and technology education and training, and workplace needs; better understanding of the IT training industry; and partnerships between stakeholders in industry and education. (Ten figures and 52 endnotes are included.) (MN)