Sri Lanka’s information communications technology sector workforce to grow 16.9 percent in 2019
A survey conducted by Sri Lanka’s Information Communications Technology (ICT) Agency has found that the workforce in the country’s ICT sector is expected to grow 16.9 percent in 2019 to 146,089 from 124,873 in 2018.
It has been further reported that the workforce has grown 50.7 percent since the 82,854 in last survey in 2014.
“As per my knowledge the only industry can improve the quality of life of the people in this country,” Sri Lanka’s Minister of Digital Infrastructure and Information Technology, Ajith Perera has been quoted as saying.
“It is the only industry that can produce lakhs of jobs. ICT industry is the only areas that match the aspirations of the future generations.”
In 2013 when the first survey was done most of the workers were in computer departments of non-IT firms, local media reports state.
But by 2019, pure ICT firms have become the biggest employers. ICT firms employed 65.6 percent of the workforce and non-ICT firms employed only 22 percent, report further note.
Accordingly, most IT firms were now employing graduates and not people with lower qualifications
“Bachelor’s degree has become the standard entry qualification for majority of job categories in all major employer categories,” ICTA project officer Vemani Kushalya has been quoted as saying.
About 64.2 percent of workforce now had Bachelor’s degrees.
OSL take:
The government of Sri Lanka as well as stakeholders in the country’s ICT sector have taken many steps to uplift and develop Sri Lanka’s ICT and digital infrastructure sectors to ensure the country is on par with international standards. Sri Lanka’s education and higher education sectors have also incorporated ICT in to the education structure that ensures a computer literate and skilled workforce in Sri Lanka’s ICT sector. The government of Sri Lanka has also introduced many incentives to promote ICT and digital infrastructure development in the country. Therefore, foreign businesses/investors could explore business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s ICT sector.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/08082019/Z_1 |