Work-from-anywhere scheme could threaten South Africa’s ICT skills base
The global acceptance of the work-from-anywhere model could “erode” South Africa’s ICT skills base, according to Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa (IITPSA) Production Consultant Adrian Schofield.
During a webinar hosted by IITPSA themselves, the agency conducted a snap survey to unpack what a borderless world of work will mean for SA’s IT sector.
The online poll, based on a small sample, found that 80% of webinar participants are looking for opportunities to work for international companies, and 14% are already working for international companies.
The surveyed participants indicated they were interested in international opportunities because there were insufficient opportunities locally.
Schofield said that this could threaten SA’s ICT skills base as local tech companies are being pitted against multinational corporations.
Citing a report by talent marketplace OfferZen, Schofield united that over 20% of SA software developers are actively looking for offshore job opportunities as a result of the acceleration of digitization and remote work.
Wendy Spalding, MD of talent sourcing solutions Tuesday Consulting, points out the work-from-anywhere model drove the increase of ‘semigration’, and emigration, as SA job applicants become more interested in international roles.
