P. M. Alexander
ABSTRACT
This paper is situated within the context of the challenges related to the processes currently being undertaken in South Africa by the government to stimulate e-Skills capacity. The paper reports on findings of a systematic textual examination of existing ICT skills shortage research reports. Acknowledging the shortcoming of existing e-skills categories in a diverse, ever-changing ICT environment as well as the complexity of determining supply and demand for ICT skills, it is found that existing research on these matters in a South African context is difficult to interpret, not comprehensive enough and often not credible.
- Beyer, S. (2008) Gender differences and intra-gender differences amongst Management Information Systems students. Journal of IS Education, 19, 3, 301.Google Scholar
- Boyle, T. A. and Strong S. E. (2006) Skill Requirements of ERP Graduates. Journal of IS Education, 17, 4, 403.Google Scholar
- Gallivan, M., Truex, D. P. and Kvasny, L. (2002) An analysis of the changing demand patterns for Information Technology professionals. Proceedings SIGCPR '02, May 14--16, Kristiansand, Norway. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Granger M. J., Dick, G., Jacobson, C. M. and Van Slyke, C. (2007) Information Systems Enrollments: Challenges and Strategies. Journal of IS Education, 18, 3, 303--311.Google Scholar
- Hatzakis, T., Lycett, M. and Serrano, A. (2007) A programme management approach for ensuring curriculum coherence in IS (higher) education. European Journal of Information Systems, 16, 643--657.Google ScholarCross Ref
- James, T., Esselaar, P. and Miller, J. (2001) Towards a better understanding of the ICT sector in South Africa: problems and opportunities for strengthening the existing knowledge base. Proceedings of the Trade and Industrial Policy 2001 Annual Forum, Misty Hills, Muldersdrift.Google Scholar
- Kim, Y., Hsu, J. and Stern, M. (2006) An update on the IS/IT skills gap. Journal of IS Education, 17, 4, 395--402.Google Scholar
- Lent, R. W., Lopez, A. M. Jr., Lopez, F. G. and Sheu H-B. (2008) Social cognitive career theory and the prediction of interests and choice goals in the computing disciplines. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 73, 52--62.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Looney, C. A. and Akbulut, A. Y. (2007) Combating the IS enrollment crisis: The role of effective teachers in introductory IS courses. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 19, 781--805.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Papastergiou, M. (2008) Are Computer Science and Information Technology still masculine fields? High school students' perceptions and career choices. Computers&Education, 51, 594--608. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Rosenbloom, J. L., Ash, R. A., Dupont, B. and Co, L.(2008) Why are there so few women in information technology? Assessing the role of personality in career choices. Journal of Economic Psychology, 29, 543--554.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Scime, A. (2008) Globalized computing education: Europe and the United States. Computer Science Education, 18, 1, 43--64.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Van Tonder, C. L. (2004) Organisational Change: Theory&Practice. Van Schaik Publishers, Pretoria.Google Scholar
- Walstrom, K. A., Schambach, T. P., Jones, K. T. and Crampton, W. J. (2008) Why are students not majoring in Information Systems? Journal of IS Education, 19, 1, 43--54.Google Scholar
- Zhang, W. (2007) Why IS: Understanding undergraduate students' intentions to choose an Information System major. Journal of IS Education, 18, 4, 447--458.Google Scholar
- Akoojee, S., Arends, F. and Roodt, J. (2007) ICT skills at the intermediate level in South Africa: Insights into private provision and labour market demand. Free download from HSRC Press www.hsrcpress.ac.za accessed 2008/02/14. Google ScholarDigital Library
- BIRCHWOOD DECLARATION (2007) -- for Tertiary Level ICT Skills Development www.cs.ru.ac.za/ICTSkills/Declaration%20ICT-Skills%202007.pdf accessed 2008/02/14.Google Scholar
- DCITAa (2006) Building Australian ICT skills Australian Government, Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. www.e-scc.org/docs/Building_Australian_ICTskills.pdf accessed 2008/02/14.Google Scholar
- DPRU (2006) Graduate unemployment in post-apartheid South Africa: nature and possible policy responses. Compiled for Business Leadership South Africa.Google Scholar
- DoL (2007) National Scarce Skills List 2007. www.skillsportal.co.za/download_files/professional/NSDS-Scarce_Skills_List_2007.doc accessed 2009/06/04Google Scholar
- E-skills UK (2008a) Technology counts: IT&telecoms insights 2008 www.e-skills.com/Research-and-policy/Insights-2008/2205 accessed 2008/02/14.Google Scholar
- E-skills UK (2008b) Policy declaration 2008: e-Skills competences Actions towards sustainability.Google Scholar
- FINWEEK as reported in the Mail and Guardian (2008) http://www.mg.co.za/article/2008-02-03-report-sa-education-in-crisis-mode accessed 2008/02/14.Google Scholar
- ISETT SETA (2007) Sector skills plan 2005--2010 2007 version 2.0 No e-version.Google Scholar
- Mail and Guardian (2009) Sadtu: Splitting education ministry makes sense http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-05-11-sadtu-splitting-education-ministry-makes-sense accessed 2009/06/04.Google Scholar
- Mbeki, T. (2002) State of the nation address. South African Government Information. http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/2002/0202281146a1001.htm accessed 14 Sept 2008Google Scholar
- ScreenAfrica.comTue, (2009 DoC) launches e-Skills Dialogue Initiative http://www.screenafrica.com/news/training/974208.htm accessed 2009/06/04.Google Scholar
- National Council of Provinces (NCOP) (2008) Address by Naledi Pandor, MP, Minister of Education, introducing the debate on the education budget vote, http://www.search.gov.za/info/ accessed 27 June, 2008.Google Scholar
- Republic of South Africa (1994) Public Service Act 103 of 1994. www.psc.gov.za/docs/legislation/public_service_act/publicserviceact.pdfGoogle Scholar
- SAITIS (2000) South African ICT sector development framework: Summary http://www.thedti.gov.za/saitis/studies/jobs_skills/summary.pdf accessed 2 Feb 2008.Google Scholar
- SA DoC (2007) Towards a strategic framework for ICT skills development in South Africa (Internal, discussion document). No e-version.Google Scholar
- SA DoC (2008) ICT Skills overview: A study of ICT programmes at tertiary level (NQF level 6) at South African universities. No e-version.Google Scholar
- SA DTI (2005) An analysis of the ICT skills audit for the dti and ISETT SETA. www.isett.org.za/downloads/ICT_Skills_needs.pdf accessed 2008/02/14.Google Scholar
- SAQA Mission (n.d.) SAQA web site http://www.saqa.org.za/ accessed 27 June, 2008.Google Scholar
- The European e-skills forum (2004) e-skills for Europe: Towards 2010 and beyond: Synthesis report. http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/ict/policy/doc/e-skills-forum-2004-09-fsr.pdf accessed 14 Sept 2008.Google Scholar
- Van Heerden, P. (2006) Networking skills in South Africa: Will an increased shortage hinder growth? An IDC White Paper commissioned by CISCO systems. No e-version.Google Scholar
- Perry, S. (2008) Skills shortage needs holistic view. ITWeb Brainstorm ICT Skills and Training seminar, Bryanston, South Africa, http://www.itweb.co.za/events/ictskills/default.aspGoogle Scholar
Index Terms
- Methodological challenges in e-skills shortage research in South Africa
Recommendations
The shortage of skilled storage professionals in South Africa and coping strategies employed
SAICSIT '10: Proceedings of the 2010 Annual Research Conference of the South African Institute of Computer Scientists and Information TechnologistsOrganisations are faced with the requirement to store increasing amounts of data, yet the skills needed to design, manage and maintain the storage environment are often lacking. This paper presents the findings of a study undertaken to investigate the ...
Challenges and opportunities of e-government in South Africa
Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is to present challenges and opportunities of e-government implementation in South Africa with special reference to service delivery and implications for libraries.Design/methodology/approach -- The paper is based on ...
Understanding the links between ICT skills training and employability: an analytical framework
ICTD '10: Proceedings of the 4th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies and DevelopmentThis article proposes an analytical framework to better understand the role that information and communication technology (ICT) skills play in improving employment opportunities for low-income groups. The paper draws upon research with over seventy non-...
Comments