For too long, the tech industry has viewed talent through a cost lens, sending IT and business services offshore in search of savings. While this strategy has lowered dollar costs for some companies, the obvious opportunity costs -- from reduced service quality and weakened collaboration to diminished innovation and nonexistent talent pipelines -- remain significant. 

Consider Chicago a prime example. Illinois is home to 32 Fortune 500 companies, and Chicago hosts 24 of their corporate headquarters. Yet Chicago's anchor companies spend an estimated $16.5 billion annually on third-party IT services, and most of those dollars leave the local economy. This represents a missed opportunity for a region that sits at a critical intersection of innovation, economic opportunity and community renewal. 

Investing locally is a competitive advantage

A 2024 study by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development found that investing in local IT talent -- particularly through workforce development and training in skills like coding and AI -- directly improves productivity and fuels broader economic performance. Local hiring not only creates jobs and strengthens the tax base; it also spurs community engagement, reduces unemployment, keeps revenue local and reinforces the social fabric that makes businesses and neighborhoods thrive.

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But the most compelling statistic is the unparalleled multiplier effect that applies to tech jobs. Benchmark research has found that for every high-tech job created, five additional local jobs are created in both skilled occupations (think lawyers, teachers and healthcare workers) and unskilled ones (retail clerks, service providers and construction workers). 

The ripple effect of investing in local talent extends well beyond a single hire: It not only strengthens the economic vitality of entire communities and raises a company's profile as an employer of choice but also leads to local ecosystems that attract funding sources, highly educated workers and a strong service economy.

This explains why many companies and contractors are rethinking their IT strategies. Deloitte's 2025 Global Business Services Survey confirms that companies are moving work in-house to improve customer and employee experience, gain control over quality, elevate skill levels, and better manage IT spend and security risk. These choices prioritize performance, profitability and resilience.

Strengthening communities and bottom lines together

Companies are realizing that their roles no longer stop at the proverbial office door. They are recognizing their investments -- in talent, supply chains and infrastructure -- can drive long-term social and economic impact. This strategy holds tremendous power to not only deliver shareholder value but also drive sustained community development. Aligning local talent with local investment ensures overlooked areas gain the opportunities and resources they deserve.

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Reimagine workforce development for the future

Traditional insourcing models -- from hybrid managed services like global In-house centers designed to extract more value from offshore vendors to traditional internal teams -- often fail to fully tap into the potential of local workforce programs. Yet workforce development programs provide a promising and effective third path by partnering with community colleges, career-changing professionals and local training organizations to create ready-to-work IT apprenticeships. These candidates are eager, prepared and invested in their communities. Supported by wraparound services and continuous education, these programs are built to succeed.

Public-private collaboration is the key to scale

But true progress takes time and requires creativity, a firm strategy and strong public-private partnerships. Framing workforce development as the primary goal in public-private partnerships. These collaborations require local governments, educational institutions and civic organizations to work together to build tech workforce development programs and establish new talent pipelines. 

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A native workforce provides a more agile response to critical help desk, network security and infrastructure management needs. Local talent understands the specific operational environment of the business, leading to greater awareness and collaborative, intuitive problem-solving without time-zone delays. 

An onshore IT delivery center is shielded from international disruptions or cross-border security risks. 

For employers, this model is a smart strategy. It delivers tech talent aligned to companies' day-to-day needs and future goals. It reduces hiring friction. It strengthens connections to community. And it ensures that as companies modernize with intelligent automation and AI, they have the people and partnerships to succeed.

Workforce development programs are no longer a secondary concern or an HR project. They offer companies a competitive advantage and make them a cornerstone of economic leadership. For organizations willing to think differently, investing in local tech talent is about more than filling jobs. It's about shaping the future of business, communities and regions ready to lead in a rapidly changing world.

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