Are we creating a massive infrastructure to train people in IT skills when, in reality, there is no IT skills shortage? This question was posed by Adrian Schofield, president of Information Industry South Africa (IISA), and keynote speaker at the annual general meeting of the training providers` SIG at the Information Technology Association this week.
According to Schofield, IT recruitment companies indicate that there was a surplus of applicants and a marked decline in vacancies as we moved into 2000.
"This South African situation is in contrast to the global increase in open vacancies for IT professionals and this underlines the importance of proper research preceding any decisions on what investment was required in education and training," he says.
While reviewing the progress towards the formation of the Information Systems, Electronics and Telecommunications Technologies (ISETT), SETA and the work to date of the IT Standards Generating Body, Schofield warns that the IT industry should not rely on the efforts of a few dedicated individuals to put in place all the standards, procedures and policies required to implement the Skills Development Act.
"Employers must be prepared to create employment opportunities for learners who would benefit from training opportunities created by the new legislation. It would be a futile exercise to train the required number of learners if industry refused to employ them because they lack experience," adds Schofield.
Schofield also points out that South Africa would need upwards of 200 000 new entrants into the ranks of IT employees over the next five years if the country was to compete in the global knowledge economy.
"The Skills Development Act and NQF (National Qualification Framework) will fail miserably in achieving their objectives if business and government do not invest in training and employment," he concludes.
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Information Industry South Africa:
Information Industry South Africa, an ICT umbrella body formed in October 1999, provides a co-ordinated forum for the industry to address issues of common interest and is an effective channel of communication with Government, particularly in relation to the issues of overlapping ICT related programmes and projects in the country. Another important development is the government`s new understanding of the value that ICT can contribute to improving the quality of life of the South African population.
Information technology specialists need to establish a forum where regional, national and international information networks and associations can meet, exchange ideas and formulate common policies.
Although the members have different interests, all share the need for a healthy ICT industry in South Africa. Information Industry South Africa will provide the facilities to give a more streamlined network to develop resources, exchange accurate information, and improve the understanding of the various issues in the ICT industry.
Information Industry South Africa also plans to attract international conferences to South Africa. This can only be successful if the industry co-operates on a large scale to establish an international class of trade exhibition for the information industry.
Member organisations of Information Industry South Africa:
- The Black IT Forum (BITF)
- The Computer Society of South Africa (CSSA)
- The Electronic Commerce Association of South Africa (ECASA)
- The Electronic Industries Federation (EIF)
- The South African Value Added Networks Service Providers Association (SAVA)
- The Local Office of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP)
- The IT Industry Training Board (ITIB)
- The IT Association (ITA)
- The IT Users Council (ITUC)
- The National IT Forum (NITF) <