FINAL WORD of these technology providers offer accessible training courses and certifications .
Can women help bridge IT skills gap ?
The demand for software developers is increasing worldwide , particularly in the technology industry . The US Bureau of Labour Statistics projects that by 2030 , the shortage of developers worldwide could reach a staggering 85.2 million job vacancies , posing a significant risk to companies internationally and potentially leading to revenue losses exceeding $ 8.4 trillion .
The technology industry remains predominantly male , as highlighted by a 2022 survey by Statista which found that 92 % of software developers worldwide are male . Given this imbalance , it should be a no-brainer for companies to actively seek out female candidates in their next hiring cycle .
By increasing the representation of women in the developer workforce , technology companies can address the skills shortage and work towards fostering a more inclusive environment .
When casting the recruitment net far and wide to include women from all backgrounds , the first thing to consider is accessibility . In South Africa , many women either grew up in environments with little to no access to computers or , even if they did , their parents simply steered them down a path that was more aligned with their gender roles .
While many young women do not have access to a computer , they often have access to a mobile phone . Once they watch videos and show an interest in learning to code , they can usually plan to borrow a laptop from someone until they have the funds available to purchase one for themselves .
Women could play a pivotal role in addressing the developer skills shortage , but this would require technology companies to adapt their recruitment strategies and invest in mentoring aspiring developers to help them upskill and thrive in their new coding roles .
We have also found that staff retention remains one of the biggest obstacles technology companies face when it comes to incorporating more women into their workforce . Despite their attempts to tackle the disparity in gender representation , the unfortunate reality is that women continue to leave the technology sector at an alarming rate .
It is important to remember that the end goal is not just to recruit female talent but also to retain them . After successfully onboarding and integrating employees into the company , it is crucial for employers to continue fostering a longlasting relationship with them .
This means technology companies would have to cultivate an environment that supports women ’ s success by removing barriers to career advancement , addressing pay gaps , promoting worklife balance , and completely eliminating Mvelo Hlophe , CEO Zaio gender bias and harassment .
Some understanding of the Modern Data Platform concepts and associated best practice principles are also essential . It should be noted that , irrespective of the technology , a good data professional is technology and cloud agnostic .
Complementing hard skills , the significance of soft skills for data professionals to truly thrive and make themselves marketable in the future should not be lost . The Forbes Advisor study supports this view , ranking problem solving , which encompasses analytical and critical thinking as well as troubleshooting capabilities , as the most important soft skill for data and technology professionals .
Equally important soft skills include continuous learning , creativity , emotional intelligence , and communication , written , verbal and presentation skills . It is not just about having the technical capabilities , but also about understanding the origins and formation of data , being curious about data , and then being able to share insights meaningfully with non-data professionals in the business .
Knowing where the organisational data is sourced from can identify potential systemic issues , limitations , or discrepancies . And then understanding the processes , definitions , and rules that moulded the data can help align it better with the current organisational objectives .
Without understanding the why of data lineage , there is a significant risk of misuse , leading to skewed outputs . This is where having the necessary soft skills becomes an essential complement to the hard , technical knowledge of data specialists .
The need to be creative also needs to be emphasized . This provides the foundation of having a growth mindset , and an ability to make logical decisions . Despite the technical aspects of data roles , having good interpersonal communication and showing leadership are also important .
The combination of hard and soft skills will define the success of data professionals in the current and future landscape . While technical skills are foundational , soft skills are what empower professionals to harness data responsibly and innovatively .
It is this blend of skills that is advocated for aspiring and current data professionals to remain relevant and excel in their careers . A holistic skill set is not merely a career asset but a necessity in the fast-evolving world of data and technology . p
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