Two-fifths of respondents (40%) believe that there is also a skills gap in public sector IT
Only 4% (out of the surveyed IT professionals in public sector) believe that graduates are prepared for real-world jobs. This is probably a major reason why 2/5 (40%) think there is a “significant” skills gap within the public sector IT sector. SolarWinds is a leading provider in observability software and IT management that’s simple, powerful and secure.
The research, based on a survey of over 100 global public sector IT professionals, highlights that while the technology sector is rapidly evolving, the public sector is struggling to keep up, and the skills gap is widening–particularly for those entering the workforce post-education.
Growing skills shortages are having a major impact on the public sector. Nearly a fifth (18%) agreed that the skills shortage is causing delays in projects and increased costs. A quarter (25%) relies on outsourcing to fill their skills gaps–a major concern against a backdrop of budgetary constraints being felt throughout the public sector.
IT professionals are concerned that the situation is unlikely to improve. Over half (52%) of respondents admit that they have difficulty hiring qualified professionals. A third (33%) believe that the skills gap is likely to worsen over the next 12 months. Over a fifth (22%) of respondents believe that training cannot keep pace with innovation.
Teams often look for alternatives to fill the skills gap. However, these methods are costly and will not support their success on a long-term basis. Less than a fifth of respondents (19%) are confident that their budget adequately funds the training and development for IT staff.
Rich Giblin is the Head of Public Sector and Defence for SolarWinds. He said, “These findings show that, despite the various plans and initiatives put in place, there’s a significant skills gap problem in the public sector, which hampers its productivity both in the short and the long term.”
The public sector provides vital services to citizens around the globe, and it is urgently needed that training and education are better aligned with the needs of the sector. It can be done by creating a culture that encourages continuous learning, offering access to resources for development, and providing learning incentives. Other solutions that can be implemented easily include using channel partners with third-party expertise, and adopting solutions that support operational resilience and incident management.
We’re all in danger if we don’t act. “It’s still not too late to make the necessary changes to equip the public sector for the future.”
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