Wanted: People from all walks of life hoping to start a career in IT for the state of Hawaii. High school degree or equivalent required. Must be able to pass IT certifications.

One of state Chief Information Officer Todd Nacapuy’s priorities is his “IT Workforce Development” initiative, which focuses on creating careers in information technology — not just jobs — to attract millennials.

The state would essentially be creating a “journeyman’s program” in IT, Nacapuy said. For example, an entry-level worker could start on the help desk, maybe stay there for two to five years, move up to a system an alyst or system administrator, and even advance to a lead position, depending on the individual, he said.

“Technology always changes,” Nacapuy said, adding that adapting to the rapid changes doesn’t always require a four-year degree. “It’s more about your aptitude to learn and keep up with technology.”

The Office of Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) once had a staff of 300, but through government downsizing, the office’s IT and support staff is now a little more than half that, Nacapuy said. Currently, 135 staffers maintain technical support for up to 80,000 state employees. “We’re severely understaffed,” Nacapuy said. That has led to an overreliance on consultants, which the CIO is working to minimize.

Nacapuy is asking lawmakers for 31 new full-time positions in ETS. These positions would not be entry-level but would focus on unified communications, cybersecurity, network and data managment, said Keith DeMello, ETS spokesman.

ETS is working with state human resources officials to create a broadbanding system specific to IT workers, Nacapuy said. Under the state’s current system, an increase in pay grade is tied to supervising other employees, among other requirements. “IT broadbanding allows us to promote and further IT careers without them having to manage or supervise people,” Nacapuy said.

Broadbanding has been used at the University of Hawaii and the state is now in discussions with the Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA) to apply it within ETS, said James Nishimoto, director of the state Department of Human Resources Development.

“This is a significant change,” Nishimoto said. “We’ve been working with the HGEA for approximately seven months.” One change is to reduce the number of classes, or levels, for IT employees from eight to four, Nishimoto said, by redefining the new levels in terms of job responsibilities and qualifications.

Nishimoto said that HGEA is assessing the proposed changes to ensure employees’ compensation won’t be harmed and affected employees understand the new system. The state hopes to have the changes finalized soon, he said.

IT broadbanding could provide opportunities to those with non-traditional backgrounds, people who may “not necessarily have a specific college degree,” Nishimoto said.

Further, the state would be molding IT workers who would possibly move into private-sector jobs, Nacapuy said. “I don’t see it as competing — it’s creating a bigger IT workforce..”