ICT talents will be instrumental in pushing the boundaries of innovation, fostering collaboration, and addressing challenges to build a more connected and inclusive world. Their skills, creativity, and commitment to ethical principles will shape the future of global connectivity for generations to come.
According to findings from a Gartner survey, companies identify talent shortages as the primary barrier hindering the adoption of new technologies across various domains, including infrastructure services, computing platforms, network security, digital workplace solutions, IT automation, as well as storage and database systems.
By 2030, the global talent shortage is expected to reach 85 million, with the deepest talent gap in the ICT industry. This is a troubling prediction because tech talents will play a crucial role in shaping the future of global connectivity in several ways:
- Innovative Technologies: Future talents will continue to develop innovative technologies that enhance global connectivity. This includes advancements in telecommunications, internet infrastructure, satellite technology, and artificial intelligence. These innovations will improve the speed, reliability, and accessibility of connectivity worldwide.
- Digital Skills: As connectivity becomes increasingly important in all aspects of life, future talents will possess advanced digital skills that enable them to navigate and leverage digital platforms effectively. This includes proficiency in coding, data analytics, cybersecurity, and digital marketing, which are essential for maximizing the benefits of connectivity.
- Cross-Cultural Understanding: Global connectivity brings people from diverse backgrounds closer together. Future talents will possess strong cross-cultural understanding and communication skills, enabling them to collaborate effectively with individuals from different countries and cultures. This will foster global cooperation and innovation.
- Ethical Considerations: Future talents will be mindful of the ethical implications of global connectivity. They will work to address issues such as digital divide, privacy concerns, cybersecurity threats, and misinformation. By prioritizing ethical considerations, they will build a more inclusive and sustainable global connectivity infrastructure.
- Entrepreneurship and Collaboration: Future talents will drive entrepreneurship and collaboration in the field of global connectivity. They will create startups and initiatives aimed at expanding access to connectivity, developing new technologies, and addressing emerging challenges. Collaboration between governments, businesses, academia, and civil society will be essential for building a robust global connectivity ecosystem.
The technology sector continues to lead as a prominent employer of highly skilled workers in North America, boasting a workforce of over seven million individuals. As per CBRE’s July 2023 report, key tech talent hubs include the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, New York Metro, Washington, D.C., and Toronto. Notably, markets experiencing significant improvement include Calgary, the Waterloo region in Canada, and St. Louis.
Furthermore, in Canada, markets such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal have seen a notable increase in job creation compared to the number of tech graduates available. Conversely, areas like the New York Metro area, Washington, D.C., and Chicago have produced more graduates than there are available jobs.
In Latin America, prominent tech talent markets include São Paulo, Mexico City, and Santiago, with San Jose, Costa Rica, emerging as the fastest-growing hub.
Workforce Development
A Korn Ferry insights unveiled that despite the United States being an undisputed leader in tech, the talent shortage could erode that lead fast. In tech alone, the US could lose out on USD 162 billion worth of revenues annually unless it finds more high-tech workers.
Indeed, one of the most fundamental problems that the United States faces as it shifts from an industrial to a digital economy lies in regard to workforce development and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education.
In the coming years, if skills gaps persist in various domains, the nation may encounter limitations in fully capitalizing on the benefits offered by a digital economy.
Some of the identified professions that will be in demand in the coming years are machine learning engineers, data architects, data engineers, specialists in the internet of things, data scientists, data visualizers, specialists in the data governance, data owners, business data translators, data science citizens, industry 4.0 specialists and data analysts.
The capabilities and competencies that talents must have will be related to data analytics and statistics; the implementation of analytical models and platforms; the creation of business intelligence platforms; knowledge of data engineering; business architecture, data quality and governance; and data management and visualization.
There are numerous initiatives that contribute to the development of a skilled workforce and a thriving tech ecosystem. These include STEM education programs, tech bootcamps and training programs, internship and mentorship opportunities, industry-academia partnerships, diversity-focused recruitment strategies as well as hackathons, coding competitions, and other tech events.
As a move from the government, in Canada where more top talent with in-demand skills are needed to drive the sector forward, they have implemeneted the Tech Talent Strategy. Through this, the International Mobility Program (IMP) lets Canadian employers hire foreign workers without a labour market impact assessment (LMIA). Digital nomads can also work remotely for an employer outside of Canada and can also live and work here for up to six months at a time, with only a visitor status (no work permit needed).
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signifies a landmark investment in digital skills, allocating USD 2.75 billion for the Digital Equity Act and USD 42.45 billion for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.
Administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the BEAD initiative prioritizes unserved and underserved areas for broadband infrastructure and includes funding for workforce development.
Similarly, the Digital Equity Act, also overseen by NTIA, introduced grant programs aimed at promoting digital inclusion through funding for digital literacy and skills education.
Addressing the impact of AI on tech jobs, a significant private-sector collaboration, the 'AI-Enabled ICT Workforce Consortium,' was announced in April 2024.
Spearheaded by the US-EU Trade and Technology Council Talent for Growth Task Force and with contributions from Cisco Chair and CEO Chuck Robbins and the US Department of Commerce, this consortium assesses AI's influence on technology roles and identifies skills development pathways.
It aims to cultivate a proficient workforce equipped with AI implementation skills across various business processes. Leveraging insights from nine leading tech companies, the Consortium recommends inclusive reskilling and upskilling training programs, benefiting a wide array of stakeholders.
Initial efforts focus on evaluating AI's impact on 56 ICT job roles, offering training recommendations for affected positions across the United States and major European countries.
What Could Happen
Failure to address the tech talent shortage could result in significant repercussions. Insufficient skilled professionals to innovate new software, enhance network infrastructure, and implement emerging technologies may result in stagnation in crucial fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and telecommunications.
Moreover, a scarcity of talent may lead to missed opportunities for job creation, diminished competitiveness on the global stage, and decreased productivity, ultimately impeding economic growth and prosperity.
This shortage could also leave businesses, governments, and individuals vulnerable to cyber threats such as data breaches, ransomware attacks, and phishing scams, as there would be fewer experts available to combat these risks.
Additionally, the lack of ICT talent may cause delays in the deployment of new technologies and restrict access to essential services, particularly in rural or underserved areas.
Moreover, communities with limited access to skilled ICT professionals would struggle to adopt and benefit from digital tools and services, intensifying marginalization in an increasingly interconnected world.
Conclusion
Digitalization is a significant driver of increased demand for tech talents to work in the ICT sector and across many other economic sectors.
Without a skilled workforce, the pace of digitalization could slow, hindering economic growth, innovation, and social progress. Therefore, investing in talent development, education, and training is crucial to ensure that individuals have the skills and capabilities needed to thrive in an increasingly digital community.
