Dear Editor,
The Internet can definitely be seen as one of mankind's great inventions. According to an extensive study compiled by the Mckinsey Global Institute, the Internet accounted for 10 per cent of GDP growth during 1995 to 2009.
Both governments and businesses have benefited from a reduction in transaction costs and other innovations associated with its creation. Therefore, it is only expected that the Government of Jamaica will seek to exploit the opportunities that technology has provided by building the relevant infrastructure and creating a world-class labour force.
However, based on the findings of a recent publication by the HEART Trust, over 60 per cent of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) firms interviewed reported vacancies; with 64 per cent stating that they had challenges finding appropriate employees. The study also noted the paucity of talent at the national training agency, with enrolment in ICT-related programmes experiencing a 10 per cent decline over the past five years.
The Vision 2030 documents classify ICT as a priority sector, but these findings suggest that successive administrations have approached the development of an indigenous ICT sector in a sporadic manner. We have not placed sufficient emphasis on creating an institutional framework to foster technology based sectors, the emphasis has been on creating a number of short-term training initiatives in an ad hoc fashion.
The reinvention of our post-secondary institutions is a must if we are serious about exploiting the ICT sector. Although, in recent times, the HEART Trust has become more sophisticated, the agency must seek to attract Jamaica's best and brightest pupils. For example, polytechnics in Asia now offer higher level courses in biotechnology, manufacturing engineering, and other emerging fields. Furthermore, we need to think bigger than the BPO sector and tap into the high value markets, like nanotechnology.
Countries that are now tech hubs did not achieve greatness by settling for mediocrity or allowing their people to think that they are not smart enough to become innovators.
Lipton Matthews
lo_matthews@yahoo.com
Ja's success more than BPOs
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The Internet can definitely be seen as one of mankind's great inventions. According to an extensive study compiled by the Mckinsey Global Institute, the Internet accounted for 10 per cent of GDP growth during 1995 to 2009.
Both governments and businesses have benefited from a reduction in transaction costs and other innovations associated with its creation. Therefore, it is only expected that the Government of Jamaica will seek to exploit the opportunities that technology has provided by building the relevant infrastructure and creating a world-class labour force.
However, based on the findings of a recent publication by the HEART Trust, over 60 per cent of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) firms interviewed reported vacancies; with 64 per cent stating that they had challenges finding appropriate employees. The study also noted the paucity of talent at the national training agency, with enrolment in ICT-related programmes experiencing a 10 per cent decline over the past five years.
The Vision 2030 documents classify ICT as a priority sector, but these findings suggest that successive administrations have approached the development of an indigenous ICT sector in a sporadic manner. We have not placed sufficient emphasis on creating an institutional framework to foster technology based sectors, the emphasis has been on creating a number of short-term training initiatives in an ad hoc fashion.
The reinvention of our post-secondary institutions is a must if we are serious about exploiting the ICT sector. Although, in recent times, the HEART Trust has become more sophisticated, the agency must seek to attract Jamaica's best and brightest pupils. For example, polytechnics in Asia now offer higher level courses in biotechnology, manufacturing engineering, and other emerging fields. Furthermore, we need to think bigger than the BPO sector and tap into the high value markets, like nanotechnology.
Countries that are now tech hubs did not achieve greatness by settling for mediocrity or allowing their people to think that they are not smart enough to become innovators.
Lipton Matthews
lo_matthews@yahoo.com
Ja's success more than BPOs
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