Information and communication technology needs skilled workers
According to a new study by the National Association for ICT Vocational Training, the demand for skilled workers in the rapidly growing field of information and communication technology (ICT) is rising even faster than previously expected. A total of 117,900 additional ICT professionals will be needed by 2028.
If this additional demand were to be met, 35,800 more people would have to be trained than today, according to the study. According to the study, the ICT occupational field is growing almost four times as fast as the average for all occupations: Within nine years, the number of ICT employees has increased by 50 percent and now numbers 242,600.
With today's efforts, only 70 percent of the additional ICT specialists expected to be needed by 2028 can be met by new graduates and immigrant ICT specialists entering the labor market. Companies in all sectors, as well as the public administration, must take responsibility for ensuring a sufficient supply of young ICT professionals, Serge Frech, managing director of ICT-Berufsbildung Schweiz, was quoted as saying in a media release.
Significantly more apprenticeships needed
In the last ten years, the number of ICT apprenticeships has increased by 43 percent to 9,700, says Frech. In view of the enormous demand, however, much more needs to be invested in ICT apprenticeships and further training. In addition, a more balanced gender ratio in ICT professions should be strived for.
Andreas W. Kaelin, President of ICT-Berufsbildung Schweiz, assumes that the Swiss education system will not be able to meet the rapidly growing demand for ICT specialists, despite extraordinary efforts. Therefore, it must continue to be possible in the future to obtain the required specialized ICT specialists from abroad in a simple manner. (SDA)
