Skills gap in public sector IT fuels outsourcing reliance

New research from SolarWinds reveals that only 4% of public sector IT professionals believe graduates are prepared for real-world roles, highlighting a significant skills gap in the sector.

The study, which surveyed over 100 global public sector IT professionals, indicates that the technology sector is advancing rapidly, yet the public sector is struggling to compete, contributing to the widening skills gap. This situation particularly affects those entering the workforce from educational backgrounds.

According to the findings, the skills shortage is causing tangible challenges for the public sector. Nearly a fifth (18%) of IT professionals surveyed noted that the skills deficit is leading to project delays and increased costs. Additionally, a quarter (25%) stated they rely on outsourcing as a way to bridge this gap, which poses concerns amidst existing budget constraints within the public sector.

The outlook for addressing the skills shortfall appears grim according to the survey, with a third (33%) of respondents predicting that the gap will widen over the next year. More than half (52%) confessed difficulties in hiring suitably qualified professionals, while over 20% (22%) of participants reported it to be "impossible" for current training systems to keep up with technological innovation.

Current strategies to manage the skills gap are proving expensive and do not support long-term success. Only 19% of those surveyed feel confident that their budgets sufficiently allocate for IT staff training and development.

Rich Giblin, Head of Public Sector and Defence at SolarWinds, commented, "These findings highlight that despite various plans and initiatives being put in place, the public sector is facing a significant 'skills gap' problem, hampering its productivity in the short and long-term."

He continued, "With the public sector providing vital services for citizens across the world, improved training and education that better aligns with public sector needs is urgently required. This can include creating a culture of continuous learning, providing access to development resources, and offering learning incentives. Additionally, other solutions that could be easily implemented include leveraging skilled channel partners who can provide third-party expertise and embracing solutions that enable operational resilience and incident response."

"Without action, we're all at risk. It's not too late to make much-needed changes to ensure the public sector is equipped for the future," concluded Giblin.