APDIP e-Note on ICT in Asia-Pacific Region is released

This APDIP e-Note is the second in the series on information and communications technology (ICT) skill development in the Asia-Pacific region. While the first part examined the gaps between demand and supply of ICT skills, this APDIP e-Note focuses on what could be done to bridge the identified gaps at national and regional levels. A significant number of countries in the Asia-Pacific region have attempted to increase ICT training facilities, either through expansion of existing training institutions or by establishing new ones. In most cases, however, national efforts seem to have consistently underestimated the size of the market for ICT skills. In rare cases where the overall demand and supply balance was achieved, there were imbalances at the individual skill levels: surpluses in some skills and severe shortages in many others. In addition, ICT employers often report of the poor ICT skills imparted by existing training institutions in the region. This can have serious implications for the growth and development of the regional ICT industry. On one hand, there would be large number of unemployed graduates. On the other hand, there would be skill shortage and vacant jobs in the industry. This APDIP e-Note highlights possible solutions for bridging the gap between ICT skill demand and supply. They include: A comprehensive and dynamic national planning and forecasting mechanism at individual country level to be supported by a regional mechanism that can monitor regional trends in ICT skill demand and supply; Expansion of ICT training capacity through encouragement of private sector investment and use of innovative Internet-based training; Provision of regular monitoring by national authorities on the quality of training; Establishment of skill testing and certification centres at the national and regional levels; Development of regional standards for ICT skills and occupations, and harmonization of national standards with the developed regional standards; and Investment in ICT research and development for building capacities and skills in the ICT sector. This APDIP e-Note is based on the presentations and deliberations on this issue during the Regional Forum on ICT Capacity Building, organized by the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (APCICT) at Incheon, Republic of Korea, 5 - 6 March 2007. APDIP e-Notes are brief snapshots that present analyses of specific issues related to ICTs for sustainable human development in the Asia-Pacific region. This online series introduces readers to the who, what, where, why and how of a wide range of current issues related to ICTs such as Internet governance, ICTs and poverty reduction, e- governance, free and open source software, and many others. Source: APDIP

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