Bridging digital skills gap between academia and industry

Many fresh graduates complain about not easily getting a job. On the other hand, many organisations complain that fresh-graduates do not have the necessary skills required by the industry to operate. This is indeed a common challenge that many encounter as far as employment is concerned, and my article today will shed light on the reason of the same.

If I were asked the reason why some graduates find it difficult to get a job, or why many organisations still require to provide additional training to fresh-graduates before they can even be considered for work, I would say that’s because of the wide-gap between the academia and the industry – i.e. both entities do not talk, in the sense that there is no knowledge-sharing between the two entities on what is happening in the industry, and how can the students/graduates add value to the same. Of course such a practice needs to happen well ahead of the graduation time. Being an ICT professional myself, I’m happy to share my thoughts and recommendation based on what is happening in the ICT sector itself.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of today's technology, there is a growing demand for individuals well-versed in the latest breakthroughs. Most what is taught in an academic institution are either too traditional and not up to date on what the industry needs. . The expanding field of ICT specialisations, including cybersecurity, cloud computing, data analytics, and artificial intelligence, presents numerous opportunities.

Recognising this need, organisations across various industries are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of ICT specialists, aiming to bridge the digital divide and cultivate talent and creativity.

There's broad recognition that university studies alone are inadequate for the students to thrive in a highly dynamic sector. Therefore, the need to form strategic partnerships with governmental bodies, businesses, and academic institutions can help bridge the education/academia divide by equipping emerging technologists with essential tools, materials, and opportunities for success in our dynamic digital environment. These programmes serve as catalysts for social and economic empowerment, creating pathways for success at both individual and community levels. By democratising access to ICT education and training, they open doors to new opportunities and contribute to inclusive growth.

To build a workforce capable of driving innovation and competitiveness, forward-looking organisations foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement through investments in ICT skills development. This lays the foundation for a future where technology positively contributes to change, enriching lives and building a more sustainable world.

For example, in Middle East and Central Asia, I am impressed to see Huawei at the forefront of ICT talent development. Working with various government agencies and academic institutions, they actively drive talent development initiatives in the field of information and communication technology (ICT) through initiatives such as the Huawei Developer Programme, Seeds for the Future, the Huawei ICT Academy to name a few. Huawei's talent training and education projects have been implemented in more than 150 countries and have benefited more than 2.83 million people so far.

During the Mobile World Congress event I attended few weeks ago, Huawei hosted the Huawei Talent Summit that was centered around the theme 'I C Talent: Nurturing Excellence in a Digital World.' During the event, ITU officially launched the ITU Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme that invites individuals aged 18 to 28 to submit ideas for community projects addressing the digital divide, offering funding, mentoring, and training for implementation. Clearly a great move to bridge the gap between industry and the academia.

Bridging the gap between academia and industry should be among the top agenda for countries that wish to see their nation prosper, especially with employment is concerned. Such an agenda will promote knowledge exchange that will help foster innovation which would ultimately drive economic and social progress. Predictions indicate that by 2025, most jobs will require a basic understanding of IT, emphasising the crucial role of ICT education in the global economy and societal development. Governments worldwide are enacting ICT-related laws and investing in school infrastructure to integrate ICT into classrooms, aligning with global education goals like Education for All (EFA) and the World Summit of Information Society (WSIS) objectives. Until we catch up again next week, stay positive.