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Jan 03 2025
Management

5 Strategies for Rural Governments to Acquire and Retain IT Talent

To address IT staffing challenges, jurisdictions can think outside of the box.
Don McCarthy
by

Don is a long time technology sector practitioner and leader. In his current role, he is responsible for leading sales teams across the state and local government market. He is passionate about ensuring they can help state and local customers achieve their missions.

IT staffing continues to challenge rural government agencies, often making it difficult to execute on new technology initiatives. Asking these five questions can improve matters.

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Can Careful IT Planning Help Staffing Shortages?

Implement a phased approach to upgrading legacy systems. Prioritize critical systems for modernization and explore cost-effective solutions such as cloud-based platforms that can be more affordable and scalable. 

How Can Partnerships Relieve Workforce Challenges?

Collaborate with different vendors to find the right partnership to fulfill agency needs. Work with partners that can provide a managed help desk or similar services that augment onsite staff. Strong partnerships can provide access to training, technical support and innovative solutions. 

DIVE DEEPER: Modest municipalities are doing more with less; here’s how.

What Incentive Might Attract Onsite Employees?

Offer incentives such as relocation assistance, competitive salaries and professional development opportunities to attract and retain IT talent. Creating a supportive work environment that offers ongoing education and career growth can help retain staff. 

Explore cost-effective solutions such as cloud-based platforms that can be more affordable and scalable.”

What if Employees Prefer to Remain Offsite?

Explore opportunities for remote work or telecommuting to expand the pool of potential candidates and overcome local staffing limitations. Remote work can also help IT professionals manage legacy systems more effectively by providing access to broader resources and expertise. 

Which Technology Investments Might Attract Workers?

Invest in improving internet connectivity and network infrastructure to support both legacy systems and future technological upgrades. Enhanced connectivity also can facilitate remote training and support. 

LEARN MORE: Small and rural cities can take action to boost grant funding.

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