While the global pandemic continues to slow down employment growth, opportunities for students - and even those who have been looking forward to landing a job - are still up for grabs.
Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA) President Jonathan Luzuriaga, during a recent webinar series hosted by Makati-based school iACADEMY, shared the jobs that are in demand now and the skills that companies look for.
“Despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, the IT industry is still growing and we need more people to be educated in the newer things that are being applied in the SD and IT industry so that we can continue this growth pattern,” said Luzuriaga during the recent Goalkeepers Webinar.
During the webinar hosted by iACADEMY for students and parents, Luzuriaga discussed the tremendous growth of the SD and IT industry despite the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Luzuriaga noted that Information Technology Business Process Management (ITBPM) which is composed of software development, contact center, creatives - animation, game development, and shared services sector reported 1.3 million direct employment. When translated to monetary value, this amounts to 26.7 billion USD.
With this, Luzuriaga noted that the pandemic and post pandemic in demand jobs include: digital marketing, project management skills, data analysis, IT support, web and app design and development, cyber security, risk management, AI and machine learning, and process automation.
To be able to get a shot at getting these jobs, Luzuriaga said that students and other potential applicants need the following skills: communication skills, interpersonal skills (able to work with teams), analytical thinking, leadership skills, conflict resolution, problem solving skills, and integrity.
Meanwhile, Luzuriaga also underscored the need to address industry-academe gaps to be able to produce more top graduates.
He noted that there has been a “disconnect” between the academe and the industry which results in the mismatch of graduates to the jobs they are applying for.
To address such gaps, Luzuriaga enjoined schools and other educational institutions to further educate the stakeholders on the said employment mismatch.
“We encourage more of this, conversations and partnerships like this so academe and industry can stop pointing fingers,” Luzuriaga said.
He also commended iACADEMY for pulling the “trigger and joined industry associations so we can have a more open conversations in terms of what we need and what iACADEMY can produce.”
iACADEMY Dean for the School of Computing and VP for Planning and Accreditation Mitch Andaya explained that the school has a regular Program Advisory Council composed of faculty, alumni, industry partners and practitioners to review and continuously improve its curriculum.
As a school that offers specialized programs centered on computing, business and design, Andaya said that iACADEMY joined PSIA to stay in touch with the industry.
“ to know and understand how we can meet the requirements of the industry,” she said. “This has always been the thrust and strength of iACADEMY, our emphasis on industry aligned curriculum,” she added.