The MPI knows that Macau's kids need encouragement to develop the requisite skills for an IT career. Some think working as casino-dealers is more lucrative--perhaps, in the short-term. University students in Zhuhai, north of the border, may play an increasing role in Macau's labor market in coming years.

But what of Hong Kong? The HKSAR allows for straightforward importation of skilled labor, but are competent tech-workers available? A recent cover story by CWHK editor Sheila Lam (http://cw.com.hk/ezine/january/february-2012) indicates the IT labor pool is running dry.

Labor is a worldwide problem. Tectonic shifts shake the world's migrant-worker market as the West continues to suffer economic pain--about ten percent of Portugal's population now works overseas, primarily in former colonies like Brazil and Angola. But high salaries draw the best and the brightest, and the financial sector still offers the fattest pay packets. Engineering, network-design, datacenter operations? Dude, where's my iPad?