Leaders of the digital sector, education institutions and policymakers on Thursday called for joint efforts to grow the digital talent pool in Latin America and the Caribbean, in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The lack of connectivity and the shortage of well-prepared people to work in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector are two of the challenges in the region. These are part of the conclusions from the first LAC Talent Summit organized jointly by global digital infrastructure leader Huawei, UNESCO and EFE news agency with the support of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
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“Our work in Latin America and the Caribbean, for Latin America and the Caribbean, consists of supporting the deployment of connection networks, providing cutting-edge and environmentally friendly technologies, and also putting our knowledge and skills at the service of communities to train digital talents and bridge the gaps,” said Michael Xue, vice president at Huawei Latin America and the Caribbean.
During the discussions the guests addressed topics such as the accelerating digital transformation, the labor market for ICT professionals, and the challenges the countries face to meet the demand for qualified personnel and digital skills.
Research findings by international consultancy IDC showed that Latin America and the Caribbean is expected to see a demand for an additional 2.5 million ICT-related professionals by 2026, compared with the current pool of 6.3 million.
Claudia Uribe, Director of the Regional Office of Education for America Latina and Caribe of UNESCO (OREALC), spoke about the challenges in bridging the talent gaps.
“The Covid-19 pandemic made clear the urgent need to close the digital gap and to make digital content, technology and connectivity available to all,” she said.
Arun Sundararajan, Harold Price Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Leonard N. Stern Business School, New York University, said digital technologies are set to transform work in the coming decades, leading to radical changes in the demand for talent.
SOURCE: PR Newswire