Companies are changing the way they hire staff for technology jobs to overcome a chronic global shortage of qualified people.
The OECD’s Bridging Talent Shortages in Tech report, released this week, has urged companies to hire based on specific skills needed rather than “rigid qualifications or experience”.
“Tackling talent shortages in the tech sector effectively requires innovative approaches and collaborative efforts by all stakeholders,” the report said.
“In particular, a skills-first approach to hiring and training can be extremely valuable to address persistent talent shortages.
“This approach allows companies to adapt more dynamically to changing demands by focusing on the specific skills needed for vacant roles rather than rigid qualifications or experience criteria.”
The report says this approach broadens the talent pool by considering candidates with diverse backgrounds and reducing dependency on traditional recruitment pipelines.
Currently the demand for highly specialised skills in the tech sector often outstripped the available supply of qualified professionals.
The report says career guidance institutions and education and training providers also need to put more emphasis on different recruitment approaches.
This meant giving guidance that identified paths for individuals rather than generic advice based on predefined career tracks.
The report also highlights micro-credentials (small, targeted learning activities that offer a way for learners to retrain and upskill quickly and efficiently) as a way to provide flexible and rapid skill development.
“Micro-credentials allow workers to acquire specific, in-demand skills without committing to lengthy degree programmes, thus quickly filling skills gaps,” it says.
“Employers who can adapt to emerging technologies and industry changes can better benefit from a more agile workforce.”
The tech sector also needed to overcome stereotypes around what their workers should look like.
“Women, workers of racial and ethnic minority backgrounds, youth, and migrants encounter barriers to entry and advancement in technology careers,” the report says.
“With the support of civil society, governments can promote a more inclusive tech sector by highlighting diverse role models and removing obstacles to education and training for under-represented groups.”
The full report is on the OECD website.
