Trend in “digital economy” draws interest to IT courses

CEBU, Philippines - The trend in the digital economy has prompted the young generation to pursue technology-related courses in college.  This is the observation made by Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology (Cedfit) executive direct June Sa-a following the foundation's active involvement in pushing to expand the quality manpower pool for Information technology and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO).

Cedfit is currently working with technology trendsetter IBM to roam around high-school institutions, mostly public schools to encourage fourth year or senior high school students to consider serious on taking technology related profession.

Surprisingly, Sa-a said millenials don't have to be convinced on taking on technology-related or IT engineering related courses, as some of them, if not most are even curious and more abreast of opportunities for technology professionals in the long term.

With Cedfit's partnership with IBM, the program had already tapped three schools in Cebu namely: Cebu Science High School, University of San Carlos-High School, and Ateneo de Cebu.

This ongoing program with IBM is meant to update senior high community in the technology profession pathway, or the future of technology in the next five years, where analytics, cognitive computing will a major role in digital economy.

Sa-a said the program plans to reach out more schools, although it is already apparent that interest of taking technology courses is climbing significantly.

Sustaining the manpower pool in Cebu, not only for quantity but more on quality, is crucial to the development of Cebu as the "darling" investment site for both business process outsourcing including the high yielding KPO.

Likewise, Cedfit is also working closely with the Cebu City ICT-BPO Council to promote technology related professional path for senior high students.

This is to sustain and boost Cebu's attractiveness to world's technology and outsourcing investors as well as develop world-class local technology community, added Sa-a.

Currently, the Cebu ICT-BPO sector is employing a little over 100 thousand people, large percentage of this is still in the voice outsourcing service.

Cebu produces an average of 23,000 fresh graduates a year. Number of IT related degree holder however is still minimal, said Sa-a.

According to Sa-a, the ICT-BPO sector in Cebu will remain as the number one employment generator of the province in short and long term. Thus, sustaining the availability of right and quality workforce is critically important.

Cedfit, a non-profit organization, created to sustain Cebu's manpower supply in ICT and BPO sector, is also conducting several advanced professional certification trainings, and workshops. (FREEMAN)