Hong Kong CIOs on how to alleviate the IT skills shortage

閱讀中文版本

Compared with three years ago, IT professionals are more likely to resign if a company is incapable of providing requested training. This was the finding revealed by a majority of CIOs in recent research where 75 Hong Kong CIOs ranked the most efficient strategies to tackle the current IT shortage.

Twenty five per cent of CIOs stated that increasing in-house training of existing IT staff would help alleviate the talent crunch, closely followed by promoting IT as an attractive career path for Millennials and Generation Z professionals (24%); increased collaboration with education providers and universities (16%); more collaboration initiatives from the business community (15%); and greater government initiatives (11%).

Meanwhile, 92% of CIOs say it is more challenging to source qualified IT professionals today compared with five years ago, while 88% say it is also more challenging to attract them once found.

“Ongoing professional development is very appealing to many employees who are looking to keep their skills relevant in a rapidly changing world,” said Adam Johnston, Managing Director of Robert Half Hong Kong.

“If ambitious and talented IT professionals feel their career aspirations are not being met, the abundance of available IT jobs simply means they are likely to look for advancement opportunities elsewhere.

“Having a well-developed professional development and training programme helps build and maintain enthusiasm, but it also inspires loyalty.”