South Africa: Information, computer industry loses 25% skilled personnel

Analysts project that the Information and Computer Technology industry may suffer in 2009 due to a skills shortage, which is predicted to be as large as 25 percent.

The forecast setback is attributed in part to the fact that domestic supply is far below demand while deep skills are even scarcer than entry level skills. Players in the industry are thus taking measures to resist the problem.

Leading ICT company AdaptIT Holdings said it had taken steps to ensure that staff are highly valued, attracting the best in the industry to its fold and keeping them.
“The company values its staff and strives to ensure that each employee has a strong sense of purpose, identity and belonging in shaping our success as a company of the future,” chief executive officer Sbu Shabalala said.

Particularly in South Africa, 2008 has been a difficult year for most industries and the ICT industry has not been spared. “We needed to look inwards at our operational efficiency and internal alignment. Also, the effects of what is now a diversified service offering has come to our aid as far as coping under the difficult economic climate is concerned.

“Our strategy will always be to maintain relationships with our existing clients and this is definitely reflected in our results,” Shabalala said.



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