SA does not compare well with other countries in terms of ICT skills availability, and skills development will be stepped up by the communications ministry.
This is according to communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda, speaking at yesterday's Skills Youth Summit, hosted by Telkom, in Midrand.
The minister said research in skills development shows too few matriculants are graduating with science or maths, and government hopes to change that by placing it into a high priority category.
The minister pointed to a survey conducted by ITWeb and the Joburg Centre for Software Engineering, which shows the skills shortage could be as high as 25% of the total workforce in SA.
He noted that the universities have also seen a dramatic decline in ICT-related degrees since 2002 and a subsequent decline of available skills in 2005.
“This trend can be attributed, in part, to the downturn in the ICT economy just after 2000, disillusionment with course content, lack of information on employment opportunities and the perception that ICT courses are difficult. Hence recruitment campaigns and a concerted attempt to distribute reliable information about ICT careers and courses are crucial to dispel these perceptions,” explained Nyanda.
He said that students perceive ICT courses to be difficult. However, he says government will step up its support for ICT skills development drives and pointed to the further education and training (FET) colleges as a means of reaching the youth.
“FET colleges play an increasingly important role in delivering the requisite skills needed in the emerging information society and knowledge economy. It is imperative for the Meraka e-Skills Institute to partner with such institutions in order to optimally utilise existing resources to achieve its goal of delivering employment-ready students to the South African economy.”
According to Nyanda, the skills gap can only be filled by taking a more holistic approach to education. “Furthermore, an e-skills development and training strategy in SA must occupy itself not only with those within the ICT industry, but also with deepening e-literacy of the consumers and intended users of the products designed and manufactured by the local ICT industry,” he added.
The minister said he has initiated a number of policy interventions for the ICT industry that will “facilitate and broaden participation for manufacturers, researchers and students for future requirements”. He believes these interventions will stimulate growth in the ICT industry.
Share
