Demand for IT professionals increases

Rising Demand 2007; a survey on Sri Lanka's IT workforce launched in Colombo indicates an increase in numbers by 14,500 IT professionals by the end of 2008.

The Sri Lanka ICT Association (SLICTA) successfully carried out the National IT Workforce Survey 2007 with technical and financial assistance from USAID-funded 'The Competitiveness Program' (TCP) and the ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA). The first report "Geared for Growth" was launched in February 2005.

According to the survey implemented by MG Consultants, the IT workforce grew by nearly 10,000 in the two years from 2004. The survey was completed at the end of 2006 and the projected demand shows an increasing trend with 7,672 IT vacancies expected in 2007 alone. Over 50% of this demand is in the IT industry while non-IT organisations require approximately 3,000 professionals. The government sector expects to recruit 507 IT personnel.

"Taking into consideration the demand for information on the IT industry in Sri Lanka, we decided to conduct the IT workforce survey for the second time in 2006.

The successful completion of the survey is an enormous achievement for all of us," said SLICTA Director and Team Lead of the survey project management team Dr. Dileepa De Silva,.The report will include information about the composition of the workforce in terms of level of education and experience. In addition the report compares the state of the supply of qualified IT professionals against the demand.

The survey focuses on 13 key IT job categories and highlights job categories in demand as well as skills required to secure a job in each category. The survey is aimed at improving stability of the Sri Lankan IT workforce and would enhance the awareness of the employer and the employee as well as training organisations.

It is also expected to be a valuable source of information for potential foreign investors to the country.

COO, ICTA Reshan Dewapura, said, "This is another initiative aimed at bridging the information gap about the demand and supply of the ICT workforce in the country. The report will be an excellent resource in helping training organisations understand the ICT workforce requirements and also for organisations to strategise accordingly."

"The findings in the "Geared for Growth 2005" report were used by the private sector and government agencies quite extensively," said Program Specialist - The Competitiveness Program (TCP) T.I. Jamaldeen.