With 70 000 IT professionals needed in SA, skilled candidates are practically writing their own salaries these days. However, this is not the solution, as it is driving unrealistic salary expectations and demand, says Greg Vercellotti, executive director of Dariel Solutions.
Addressing the launch of the findings of the ITWeb ICT Skills Survey, undertaken in conjunction with the Joburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE), in Rivonia, this morning, Vercellotti said the local IT industry is shrinking due to a lack of new skills.
In turn, projects get shelved, work goes offshore, innovation is stifled, and SA loses tax revenue, leadership position, as well as foreign exchange. And yet, some argue there is no skills shortage, Vercellotti noted.
"Today's IT industry is divided in two: companies looking for skilled staff through poaching, and businesses looking to grow skill sets through mentorship, learnership and training and development. The latter will have a far greater effect in the long run, in terms of minimising the skills gap.
"We can't pay our way to solving the skills crisis; we need to plan and act now. We need a national commitment to growing skills not for ourselves, but for our country. We need a government that listens and that is an active participant, and we need to keep our good people in SA."
Most importantly, we need to stop looking at the statistics, and start doing something about it, he pointed out. "Being proactive is key here; we need to look at the factors that will encourage our skills base to remain in SA. We must go to the heart of how we are educating our future IT skill base not only at schools and universities, but at grass roots level."
Team effort
Vercellotti added that government and the public sector will need to work hand-in-hand, and all players must develop a culture of learning.
Built-to-last companies that focus on growth and long-term success, and look at long-term sustainability instead of the immediate advantage, are the answer, he explained. Companies must find a balance between challenging staff, and throwing them in too deep. "Business must strategise skill development and staffing as much as sales and innovation."
Candidates need to choose the right career path, not the right package. Too many students go for the jobs where the big money is, without having any passion for the work itself. "They must be proactive about learning and self-teaching, and have realistic goals in terms of career development and growth. Finally, remember that attitude cannot be taught."
Government's responsibility, noted Vercellotti, lies firstly in acknowledging the issue. "In addition, it must review education, taxation and structural strategies to meet the need."
Analysing the need
ITWeb, in conjunction with the Joburg Centre for Software Engineering, conducted the ICT skills survey to identify the most pressing skills needs in South African organisations.
The survey also assessed the current skills capacity of practitioners and their intentions for future skills development.
The JCSE devised the questionnaire and ITWeb published it in the form of an online survey, carried out in July and August.
A total of 965 valid practitioner responses and 115 corporate responses were analysed.
Share