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Got tech skills? There’s a job waiting for you - 26/03/2012
Find out how to snag one of the thousands of technology jobs available across Europe during e-skills week (26-30 March).
Europe’s information and communications technology (ICT) industry has continued to grow, despite the economic crisis. But while the industry has increased its workforce in recent years, since 2005 the number of graduates in the field has been falling.
Simply put, Europe is not producing enough skilled tech workers to fill the growing number of jobs being generated by the industry. The shortage will result in as many as 700 000 IT jobs going unfilled by 2015, says the Commission.
European e-skills week is part of the Commission’s strategy to encourage young people to get the training they need for a job in this sector and to keep the EU’s digital economy competitive.
Events are being held in every EU country during the week, with training courses, information days and conferences highlighting the opportunities available in this field.
For example, a series of promotional events in the UK includes a career fair in Glasgow on 29 March. In Dublin, today, talks by industry leaders aim to inspire young people to acquire ICT skills
The Netherlands will boost awareness about technology careers with industry representatives visiting schools and a contest to create a software application.
Even after e-skills week is over, young people will still have a chance to showcase their talent through the Project Passion competition, entries for which run until 30 June.
Everyone will need some tech skills
Even outside the sector, computing and IT skills will be needed for many different jobs. By 2015, 90% of all jobs are expected to require some level of IT-related skill.
The Commission’s long-term strategy to meet demand includes supporting specialised training and creating an online e-skills and careers portal
And EU governments have taken up the challenge, designing e-skills training programmes in partnership with ICT companies.
The ICT industry accounts for 5% of Europe’s GDP and generates an annual market value of €660 billion.
