By Louise Taute – Technology is evolving and altering the way industries operate. From automation and artificial intelligence to cloud computing and cybersecurity, organisations are adapting technology innovations to remain competitive.
Yet the rapid rate of change is leaving a significant gap in the availability of skilled professionals who can drive and sustain this transformation.
The skills gap widens as demand for data and artificial intelligence (AI) expertise skyrockets. Nowhere is this issue more pronounced than in southern Africa, where the digital divide remains a formidable barrier to entry for many aspiring ICT professionals.
Limited access to quality education, financial constraints, and a lack of exposure to emerging technologies prevent many talented individuals from pursuing careers in the sector.
As the digital revolution marches on, businesses require professionals with expertise in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analytics. However, the demand for these skills far outstrips supply, creating a pressing need for effective training and upskilling programs.
A a need for more frequent training
With organisations focusing on adapting to new innovations to stay competitive, ongoing training and upskilling remain vitally important. Technology is evolving faster than skills development, making traditional degrees or one-time certifications insufficient.
Many technical skills now have a lifespan of just a few years, which means professionals need continuous learning to keep up. This shift is driving the demand for more frequent and flexible training approaches to ensure both businesses and employees remain relevant.
Training today isn’t just about attending a course once a year. It’s about continuous, on-demand learning through online platforms, hands-on labs, or AI-driven adaptive training to handle today’s technologies and prepare for what’s coming next.
The focus is as much on soft skills like creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration as on technical proficiency. These abilities enable people to apply what they learn and adapt to new situations effectively.
Ultimately, organisations must make learning a core part of their culture. If employees aren’t upskilling regularly, they risk falling behind, as do the businesses they work for.
The training landscape in SA
For channel professionals, technology evolves faster than traditional education can keep up, placing pressure on businesses in distribution, reselling, and managed services to stay ahead of trends.
We’re seeing a shift from just having a formal degree to the addition of continuous, skills-based learning. IT professionals must regularly update their cybersecurity, cloud, networking, and automation knowledge.
Vendor certifications from companies like Microsoft, Cisco, AWS, and Fortinet are now more valuable than ever, as they provide practical, real-world skills.
In South Africa, initiatives like MICT SETA make it easier to fund upskilling, while internships and community-focused programs help build a skills pipeline. The channel must explore alternative education options like coding boot camps and certification programs to tackle skills shortages.
Regarding who benefits, the answer is everyone in the IT ecosystem. Young professionals gain practical skills through certifications, mid-career professionals upskill to stay competitive, and businesses close internal skills gaps rather than hiring externally.
Accessing training is all about being proactive. Individuals can take advantage of free, subsidised, or employer-funded training. Companies should integrate training into their culture, offering internal initiatives and certification pathways.
Vendor and distributor enablement programs also offer low-cost ways to upskill teams.
Empowering the channel
Key training offerings include vendor certifications from leading technology companies like Microsoft, AWS, and Cisco, providing hands-on cloud computing and cybersecurity skills. Distirbutors like Westcon-Comstor offer training services designed to help partners achieve these certifications.
Government and industry-funded programs, such as MICT SETA in South Africa, offer subsidised training while coding boot camps focus on fast-tracking technical skills.
Additionally, vendor partner enablement programs help businesses upskill their teams at a lower cost, making essential training accessible for all professionals.
Louise Taute is the MD of Westcon-Comstor Southern Africa