Mideast IT industry maturing but short on talent

Updated on: Wednesday, October 12, 2011

The IT industry in the Middle East has matured in terms of infrastructure and solutions, but it is short on talent, an international soft skills development expert has said.

Edexcel Regional Director, Middle East/North Africa/Caribbean Mark Andrews said that supplying the right talent holds the key to development of the IT industry in the Middle East.

Andrews said the real challenge is getting the Middle East ready to absorb newly introduced solutions in the face of an alarming shortage of talent.

"It is impressive to see local and multinational companies displaying the latest corporate technologies. However, the question is whether we have the right people to manage these technologies and solutions that primarily address government agencies and private sector organisations alike," he said.

Andrews added: "All over the world, the IT industry is central to the way society operates on all levels. Those with the skills and creativity to master varied IT systems and to be at the cutting edge of new advances in the sector make themselves very attractive to the many employers who need their expertise."

Edexcel is a part of Pearson, one of the world's largest education services providers. It offers academic and professional qualifications and testing to thousands of schools, colleges, employers and other places of learning globally and has over four million learners enrolled in its highly regarded courses in more than 85 countries.

Andrews further said that in order to fight the shortage in IT, the industry should ensure that all the knowledge, skills and understanding to prepare IT specialists for managing IT systems are enhanced and developed.

The quest for talent in the Middle East is overwhelming and becoming a pressing concern for companies. Local IT companies are localising their staff, either by hiring local people to fill positions that used to go to executives from Europe, or hiring expatriates already working in the region.

However, they are facing tough challenges in finding people with the right skills and calibre.

Mideast IT industry maturing but short on talent

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