| Information technology changes so fast said Sandra | | | | project has to be completed and delivered on time. |
| Thompson, a former employee of eLinks Software. | | | | Therefore, they source for the best and brightest |
| “Since I lost my job one year ago, it has been | | | | talents with hands on experience in all the |
| difficult to get a new job. Employers are interested in | | | | above-mentioned skills. They also look for candidates |
| candidates who have lots of IT skill set. They hire | | | | with up to date IT skills. (Those who are in tune with |
| those who are current and abreast with emerging | | | | cutting age and next generation technology |
| technologies she added. It is hard to keep up and I | | | | applications.) |
| feel like I am being left behind.” | | | | This leaves inexperienced and fresh IT graduates |
| While a skill acquired 10 years ago is good enough to | | | | scratching their heads for answer since it seem |
| remain valuable and productive in some profession, it | | | | almost impossible for them to showcase or |
| is not the same with information technology. | | | | demonstrate these mired of skills set. |
| In the past, an IT job seeker could be hired as a | | | | In order for new IT graduates to gain the needed |
| software engineer just for having basic knowledge of | | | | experience, they need to be given the chance and |
| how to write a computer program. In some cases | | | | the opportunity to develop their skill. The |
| having a technical IT certificate or professional | | | | government, IT employers, recruiters and other |
| certification was enough to get their career on gear. | | | | stake holders should develop a more flexible |
| The story is different in today’s pulsating and | | | | recruitment program with new and inexperienced |
| hyper-charged IT industry. | | | | graduates in mind. There should be incentives for |
| There are plenty of mission-critical IT projects which | | | | companies to embark on constant retraining |
| needs to be completed and only those with the right | | | | programs for staff and new intakes. |
| education, experience and right combination of skills | | | | On the other hand, IT professionals and job seekers |
| are sort after. In addition to the underlying | | | | in this lucrative field should be aware of the |
| requirements, the candidate must be current and | | | | challenges ahead before making their career plan. |
| versed with the required technologies. | | | | They must also stay focused, more creative and |
| This indeed makes it hard for most young and the | | | | inventive. |
| older generations in this profession to keep up with | | | | To keep up with the pace, Long life learning is |
| the pace. Information technology keeps changing in | | | | recommended at all levels in their career. (That is |
| terms of skill, infrastructure and delivery. | | | | constantly learning and acquiring new IT knowledge |
| IT skills set acquired two years ago may be obsolete | | | | as it evolves. |
| today. | | | | There are many long life learning program tailed to |
| Even though Information technology remains a | | | | suit all levels of IT skills acquisitions needs. University |
| firebrand, lucrative and after sort profession, one still | | | | part-time and distant learning programs are the best |
| wonders why there are many unemployed IT | | | | places to start. Provincial and some private technical |
| professional? | | | | colleges also offer IT training courses. |
| Some people argue that it is because of high job | | | | A more proactive and aggressive approach is |
| requirement, demand and the prerequisite, which | | | | required on the part of IT job seekers and IT |
| seems to be somewhat over whelming especially to | | | | professionals so as to keep up with the challenges |
| new graduates with little or no experience. | | | | and trend. |
| From the employer’s point of view, the IT | | | | |