In a major development, Pakistan Software Export Board has accelerated the program for training and certification of IT graduates and professionals in latest technologies. 6,000 graduates and professionals would be trained under this program between Year 2021-23
This boost comes in the wake of strong IT Industry growth, IT & IT enabled Services (ITeS) export remittances comprising of computer services and call center services have surged to US $648.940 million at a growth rate of 38.16% during July-November of FY 2020-21, in comparison to US $469.713 million during July-November of FY 2019-20.
The growth has exacerbated shortage of qualified manpower for IT industry. As IT Industry’s main capital is qualified manpower and without a strong, qualified manpower base, Pakistan’s IT Industry’s growth momentum cannot be sustained.
Internationally recognized certifications are a quick and readily recognized benchmark mapped to a specific skill set based on standardized testing. Internationally recognized trainings are highly coveted particularly in the global information technology industry. Attaining international certifications provides instant recognition to IT professionals and recent IT graduates, who, without international certifications, would most likely go unnoticed by Pakistani and international IT companies. International certifications level the playing field for Pakistani IT companies and IT professionals in soliciting international projects.
The trainings and certifications would be conducted either free of cost or at a nominal cost and would cover latest technologies such as machine learning, block chain, automated testing, big data analytics. Certifications would include AWS Certified Solution Architect, AWS Certified Big Data – Speciality, Microsoft Azure Big Data Analytics Solutions, Scrum Master Certified (SAMC), Certified Associates in Python Programming, CCNA, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator and many others.
In order to ensure maximum capacity building of local IT eco system, local training companies would be required to partner up with international entities such as Microsoft, Oracle, Cisco among others. The training and international certification program of 6,000 graduates over the period of two years would significantly boost Pakistan’s IT ecosystem and effectively address the issue of employability of Pakistani graduates and significantly enhance their potential as a young techie, startup entrepreneur or as a freelancer.
*-*-*-*
