Search more, sweat less over skills 'crisis'

26.06.2006
It's difficult to determine just how short of skilled workers the local IT industry really is.

On the one hand we have end users, governments and vendors complaining about how hard it is to recruit appropriate personnel for their rejuvenated IT investments, and on the other hand tales of layoffs, outsourcing, and offshoring are indicative of an industry without a dime to spend on IT skills in the first place.

What's the story within your organization?

If it's the former and there really is a local ICT skills shortage, ask yourself how proactive your organization has been recruiting, and nurturing, future employees.

Last week the Australian government released a report titled Building Australian ICT Skills. One of the key recommendations to help foster new entrants into IT is to "review and enhance" the teaching of ICT in schools.

A "get 'em while they're young" approach to human resources, if you like.