The technology sector in general and that of Information Technology (IT), in particularare the ones more job opportunities offer and, in turn, They are the ones that most need to have trained personnel.
In this sense, the options offered in Uruguay for the training of human resources play an increasingly important role.
2021 closed with 87 thousand jobs more than the previous yearaccording to the survey released by the National Statistics Institute (INE). In addition, the published data show the best unemployment figure since 2017 and occupation exceeded the level of January 2020although the total activity is still one percentage point below that of February of that year.
According to the Advice Labor Monitor, the technology sector was the one with the highest growth in 2021 compared to 2020 (138%). It displaced the commerce sector in the first position of job creation and obtained a 19% share in the accumulated job opportunities for the entire year. One in five job opportunities was generated in the technology sector.
Although the numbers are encouraging in terms of opportunities, they also mean a growing need for train trained staff to be able to cover that unsatisfied demand and this is where it still stands the great debt of Uruguay.
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One in five job opportunities was generated in the technology sector in 2021
Industry needs
Leonardo Loureiro, president of the Uruguayan Chamber of Information Technologies (CUTI), said to The Observer that the training problem can be seen from secondary education.
According to him Report on Characterization of Admission to Higher Education in Uruguay made by the National Administration of Public Education (ANEP)heto Computer Engineering degree —which encompasses several more branches— It is in the 13th position of the 15 careers most in demand by students when leaving secondary education.. In 2020 they signed up 879 people to study Computer Engineering, which means 1.8% more than in 2019.
In addition, Loureiro said that, according to the latest cuti reports, only between 8% and 11% of students completing engineering baccalaureate or Technologists enter IT-related careers. In this sense, he pointed out that “with such negative numbers“worked”a lot in different actions” that promote technological training. Here you can find the different options for training recommended by the Cuti.
The head of the CUTI also indicated that the unsatisfied demand of the sector in 2021according to a report made with Advice, closed with 5,000 jobs.
“Either we lose business or improve productivity or hire foreign talent. What is happening is that we are looking for alternatives where alternatives exist, but that more than seeing ourselves as a The problem should be seen by citizens as a growth opportunity for young people and those who are not so young who want to train in this sector where there is employment”, he added.
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19% was the share of job opportunities in the IT sector in 2021.
UTU’s offer
The General Directorate of Professional Technical Education (Dgetp-UTU) is one of the main educational institutions to which students interested in training in this area can turn.. Juan Pereyra, general director of the UTUsaid to The Observer that the institution ishighly developed” in what has to do with technological baccalaureates in computer science and technical degrees. In addition, he added that they provide students the possibility of training as technologists through agreements with the University of the Republic (Udelar) and the Technological University of Uruguay (UTEC).
Pereyra reported that since March and through an agreement with the CUTI, an Institute of High Specialization in IT will start operating in the Bella Italia neighborhood and also in the city of Paysandú. “The novelty is that it will be a bilingual computer technology baccalaureate, which will be the only one in the country and public”, he highlighted.
Loureiro added that with this agreement it is sought “intensify the relationship and the work to update the technological high school since UTU has an educational offer distributed throughout the country”. In that sense, he explained that he aims at “incorporate part of the non-attendance into these careers” Y “start having courses that allow students to get to where they are with high-quality courses recognized by an institution such as the UTU”.
Pereyra admitted that UTU has “lack” of teachers in some places in the interior but that is something that “it’s getting stronger little by little”. “With this agreement with CUTI they are going to develop strongly online coursesthat allows us have the latest technology Y well determined the needs of the market, what is it really needing and we will also be able to have technicians who can help us in the courses In addition to the possibility that our students can do internships in IT companies”, he expressed.
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technology industry
Train at UTEC
The UTEC is another of the suitable options to professionalize in the technology sector with blended careers. Today it offers a universe of 17 careers, engineering, bachelor’s degrees and technologists, as well as specializations and master’s degrees.
“We hope to have around 900 new students joining UTEC in 2022 and we are very much looking forward to the pre-registration period, which opened until February 18 with all the new careers we have.”, commented to Cromo the Director of Education of UTEC, Amadeo Sosa.
The second registration period began on January 24 and runs until February 18 inclusivewith courses starting in March. As for the degree in IT, the most demanded career of that university, will open in August in Melo and Minas. In this case, Registration will open in a special period during the first semester, which will be indicated in due course.
“In 2022, UTEC will offer seven blended careers, almost doubling its educational offer in this modality”, they commented to Cromo from that institution.
Until now, there were three blended races and, as of this year, four are incorporated. There is a plan with a view to 2025 in which it is well detailed how and when it will move forward with other races. Some 450 teachers have participated in training to be trained in topics related to teaching in blended or hybrid mode. These represent approximately 80% of UTEC teachers.
According to UTEC, In 2021, 548 students participated in awareness workshops on the use of digital technologies. “One thing is to be a digital native and another is to use digital technologies to learn and that was the focus of learningSosa said.
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5,000 jobs could not be filled in 2021 in the technology sector due to lack of personnel
Inefop’s tools
The National Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (Inefop) signed in 2020 an agreement with the multinational company Microsoft for the implementation of the program Digital Skills for Employabilitythrough which what is sought, according to what his CEO, Pablo Darschtis “embed digital skills in people in general to make them more employable”. This program, which has been running for almost a year and a half, it was performed by 8,000 people.
However, from Inefop it is understood that there are people who need to have even a first contact with technology since in many cases they can’t even access a computer or don’t know how to use it.
In this sense, a call is being made to civil society organizations that work in vulnerable neighborhoods in the metropolitan area to carry out a pilot plan whereas Darscht explained, “the loan of a computer from Plan Ceibal is included so that people can make their first weapons”.
As a second step, people could opt for the course provided by Microsoft and then yes dedicate yourself to one of the most specific training proposals offered by Inefop. People can choose between various training courses through the website of Inefop opportunities.
The body is also 100% financing courses for the training of software testers in different organizationsboth private and public, for example, the Software Testing Centera joint venture between the Ricaldoni Foundation and the skin that works in the Udelar Faculty of Engineering. In addition there is a Software Testing Center in Paysandú, financed by Inefop and the Sanducera Municipality.
To these projects will be added in the coming months one on which they are working and which will be promoted together with the National Agency for Research and Innovation (ANII) and Uruguay XXI. “It is focused on seeking a more comprehensive response to the challenge of developer shortageDarscht said.
The general director of Inefop indicated that thestituto invests between $2,000 and $3,000 per student so that they can participate in the Digital Skills for Employability course with Microsoft.
In the case of the usual courses of the institute —which includes tester training— the investment is between $20,000 and $30,000 per student. “Thinking of developer programs, it will probably cost several times that”, he added.
