THE shortage of talents to fill positions in the country’s information and communication technology (ICT) sector is expected to grow to 40,000 this year.
Commission on ICT (CICT) Commissioner Timoteo Diaz de Rivera said the shortage is expected to double this year as demand for workers grows rapidly with the entry of investments and implementation of expansion projects in the information technology-enabled services (Ites).
Last year alone, the country’s Ites sector suffered a 22,000-shortage of skilled workers, he said.
“It’s difficult to dream of being an ICT hub in Asia without investing in (a) human resource pool, technology, buildings (and) strict implementation of Ites laws, (among others),” de Rivera said.
To help balance supply and demand, he said CICT will allocate funds to develop the country’s ICT education and at the same time empower local government units (LGUs) to provide incentive packages for IT-related investments in their respective areas.
The commission aims to enable at least 20,000 schools to adopt “e-readiness” by 2010, said de Rivera.
Private sector
Tunde Fatunwa, chief executive consultant for Bayan Telecommunications, said that for the Philippines to maintain its position as the “number one” choice of the global business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, stakeholders should not wait for government to allocate resources to improve the country’s education system.
Fatunwa said the initiative must be private sector-led and should be an engine for development.
He said the private sector could lead in organizing programs to ensure the sustainability and set standards to ensure the quality of human resource for the ICT sector. He added that companies can also enhance the skills of their workers by holding trainings and seminars.
While he acknowledged the government’s efforts, lack of planning and weak enforcement of programs to develop quality education for the ICT sector may have caused the shortage of skilled workers for the industry.
Not wait
“The lack of sustainability in the educational system and the lack of appreciation for our IT professionals are what is causing the (low) supply of skilled IT workers. Are we just going to wait for the government?” Fatunwa asked.
“I believe the Philippines can catch up with other countries (after addressing the) human resource problem,” he said.
Fatunwa said it is ironic for a nation that led a people power revolution to now seek the government’s help on this problem.
The Philippines can use its “people power” to empower the people, he added.
Recently, industry leaders converged in Cebu for an international conference and exhibition during the Cebu Business Month celebration to discuss issues that hound Asia’s ICT industry.
Industry experts who participated in the panel discussion expressed belief that cross-sector collaboration is a critical component to improve the country’s human resource pool.
This year, the Philippines is targeting $5 billion in revenues coming from the ICT and Ites industries which are expected to create over 400,000 jobs. (MMM)
