Technology companies in the region have been saying for years that they cannot find enough qualified local candidates. Many of the training programs funded by public initiatives are too basic for enterprise-level technical-services providers. And there just are not enough potential workers getting the more advanced training that is taking place.

One Rhode Island employer realized the status quo was not acceptable. That employer is Atrion Networking Corp., the Warwick-based IT services company. Atrion finds itself in the enviable position of growing, both organically and through acquisitions, and it needs more staff to keep up.