Tech Talent Development In Africa: Addressing the Skill Gap
Quality >>>>> Quantity 💯 💯
Hey-hey Innovator 👋
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Aitt? 🤝🤝
🤔 The Gaping Hole Problem 🤔
The tech industry's growth is nothing short of phenomenal, and Africa’s tech ecosystem is an unanswered question; no one has asked the question yet, but it’s definitely on everybody’s mind
In 2024, when you combine wonder and a dash of confusion, you end up with an underserved population, a couple of saturated market solutions (not naming names, but you can probably take a guess) and a workforce that’s just teetering on the edge of mediocrity
Too much? 👀 let’s run the numbers then
In 2023, the global tech market was valued at a whopping $1.2 billion1 and by 2030, it’s expected to grow to $6.2 billion.
But here's the kicker: as the industry expands, so does the demand for skilled professionals.
According to a report by the World Economic Forum, by 2025, we could see 97 million new roles emerging in tech that are more adapted to a middle way between human efforts and the efficiency of AI
However, the supply of skilled tech talent isn't keeping up!
In Africa, funding into tech for the first three-quarters in 2023 stood heavily at $1.4 billion, and the countries that took that frontier were South Africa, Egypt, Kenya and Nigeria
Which then begs the question, if there's so much money being circulated in the ecosystem, why are African tech companies not channelling it towards finding the right talent or using some part of it to improve their already existing teams?
🤔🤔
This skill gap in tech has far-reaching implications, so maybe a bird's eye view is what is needed
Some of the implications of not investing in the right talent include:
Little/No Growth: Companies that drag their feet when it comes to finding the right talent can have project delays, increased costs from wasted resources, and missed opportunities.
Innovation Stagnation: A lack of skilled professionals can slow down innovation. Companies might have groundbreaking ideas but lack the workforce to bring them to fruition. For example, a shortage of AI experts can affect advancements in healthcare, finance, and other critical sectors.
Increased Workloads: Existing employees often bear the brunt of the skills gap. According to a survey by Deloitte, 77% of employees around the world have experienced burnout at their current job, with the tech sector being particularly affected.
Bridging the Gap: Strategies and Solutions
If this problem is to be addressed, tech innovators and builders must prioritise some of these solutions:
Promoting Continuous Learning: The concept of lifelong learning is more relevant than ever 💪. Google’s famous "20% time" policy, which allows employees to spend 20% of their time on projects outside their primary job responsibilities, is a great example of bringing creativity and learning together in one piece.
Professionals also need to continuously upskill and reskill to stay relevant. Platforms like Udacity, LinkedIn Learning, and Pluralsight offer courses in cutting-edge technologies, enabling individuals to learn at their own pace.
Encouraging Diversity and Inclusion: A diverse workforce brings diverse perspectives, and this helps to support innovation. Companies need to actively promote diversity 🤝 in their hiring practices and create inclusive environments.
Leveraging Apprenticeships and Internships: On-the-job training through apprenticeships and internships ✨ can be highly effective to bridge the gap between education and employment.
Bootcamps and such: Coding bootcamps have gained popularity as a fast-track solution to tech employment. According to a report by Course Report, 83% of bootcamp graduates find employment in their field within six months.
Investing in Employee Development: African tech companies should prioritise upskilling their current employees. Providing access to training programs, workshops, and certifications can help employees stay updated with the latest technologies. A LinkedIn report found that employees at companies with high internal mobility stay almost twice as long.
Supporting Open Source Projects: Contributing to and supporting open source projects can be an excellent way for companies to nurture talent. Open source communities provide a platform for developers to collaborate, learn, and gain practical experience.
The Future of Tech Talent Development
Addressing the tech skills gap is a complex challenge, but it's very doable.
By rethinking the general stance on what having an education should mean, promoting continuous learning, and encouraging diversity for a wider talent pool, Tech Innovators, like you 🫵, can develop a workforce that's ready to meet the demands of the future.
So, whether you're a budding tech enthusiast or a seasoned innovator, remember: the journey of learning never ends.
After all, the future of technology isn't just about the tools we create—it's about the people who create them 🚀
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This is very insightful and helpful. I anticipate other interesting reads. Thank you.