A report commissioned by Cisco Systems indicates a local networking skills shortfall of 62% in 2003. The study of networking skills shortages within emerging economies examines the situation facing networking professionals in 12 emerging economies across Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Mike Couzens, senior director of communications and training for Cisco Systems EMEA, says the local situation is being partly driven by the loss of an increasingly migrant workforce and this has an adverse effect on the growth of the Internet economy in the region.
According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), which compiled the findings, the digital economy will have over one billion Internet users by 2010. But Couzens says the skills needed to sustain this growth are severely lacking.
"Businesses throughout the world rely on their networks to compete successfully in the new Internet economy. While the IT skills shortage has occupied corporate minds in Western Europe for some time, emerging markets have yet to address the challenge effectively. The countries that tackle this issue stand a better chance of competing and succeeding in the global economy."
Cisco Systems says a skills migration of both new and existing networking professionals is a particular challenge facing SA. The report notes that applications service providers in emerging markets could alleviate the need for businesses to invest in some of the technical networking skills required.
The company believes it is taking effective action in addressing the networking training challenge through its Cisco Networking Academy Programme. There are eight networking academies in SA and 3 932 worldwide.
"We are partnering with the South African government to ensure this country addresses the networking skills shortage immediately," says Bill Weber, GM of Cisco Systems Southern Africa. "Governments around the world need to acknowledge that they must act now in partnership with business, or risk losing the race in the new global economy."
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