09 May How to overcome the IT skills shortage
Technology has taken a major role within business operations, replacing long-held manual systems and improving workflows. Hardware and software tools are evolving at a rapid pace, with new versions coming out on a regular basis. This makes it significantly difficult to keep up with the necessary skills to use these systems effectively.
Complexity of the technology landscape combined with the rising demand for capable individuals to leverage these systems are contributing to a widespread IT skills shortage. The need for experienced workers is outpacing the available supply. As the IT skills shortage grows, organizations must understand the scope of the issue and what they can do about it.
“IT teams will struggle over the next year due to the skills shortage.”
Severity of the shortage
The skills shortage has already impacted businesses all over the world, causing project delays and failures. In fact, 76 percent of firms surveyed by the British Chambers of Commerce had a shortage of digital skills within their workforce, City A.M. reported. The top sought capabilities include basic computer skills, connecting through digital channels and digital information management.
As a result of the shortage, existing staff are being asked to shoulder increasing workloads, operating costs are increasing and organizations are experiencing difficulties meeting customer requirements. The U.K. economy is losing $81 billion a year due to the skills gap, according to the House of Commons Science Technology Committee. This is no small price to pay for missed opportunities, and members of parliament are looking for their government to respond to these issues.
To make matters worse, the skills shortage isn’t expected to abate anytime soon. A survey conducted by Brocade found that IT teams will struggle over the next year due to the skills shortage. Organizations are likely to experience security concerns, legacy technology limitations and inadequate decision-making power as a result of these issues. Brocade noted that it’s up to the C-suite to sort these problems out by investing in the right areas.
Bridging the gap
Lack of digital skills is holding business back from growing and evolving with customer and employee expectations. Organizations often can’t find the people needed to deliver on contracts, halting growth and revenue opportunities, Coventry Telegraph noted. It’s equally as difficult to find experienced people that can handle internal digital initiatives, due to growing demands for these individuals across all industries. As a result, businesses often rely on current capabilities and may sacrifice productivity and effectiveness as a result.
To fully bridge the gap, organizations should team up with a value-added reseller like Pinnacle Business Systems. We provide coverage for a variety of services and adapt our solutions to changes. Our support team is on hand to guide you through training techniques and ensure that your workers understand how to use systems effectively. We also ensure that you can embrace innovations and utilize them to your advantage rather than paying for something that isn’t fully utilized. For more information about how you can bridge the skills gap with a VAR, contact Pinnacle Business Systems today.