The National Future Talent Initiative (NFTI) was launched to encourage more people to join the IT/BPM workforce and to invite interested parties to join hands in creating a steady stream of talent entering this lucrative industry.
Its other key goals include getting 500 people into part-time teaching to build teaching capacity, 5,000 people into freelancing work to capitalise on immediate opportunities and 200 companies to offer internships to give a head start for the new talent generated from the initiative and lay the foundation for a progressive talent development ecosystem for the future. The industry envisages further growth and aims to establish 1,000 start-ups, create 200,000 jobs and grow industry revenue to US$5 billion.
As per a recent IMF report, it is predicted there will be a global shortage of more than 85 million tech workers, representing $8.5 trillion in lost annual revenue by 2030. Sri Lanka currently has around 600+ companies in its IT / BPM eco-system generating US$ 1.7 billion in revenue. CEO, GTN Technologies and Head of Global Shared Services, GTN Group and steering committee member NFTI Arjuna Nanayakkara, added “The IT/ BPM industries offer many career choices for those who have a passion for technology, problem-solving and are analytical- minded. It is for school leavers, fresh graduates as well as seasoned professionals. The IT/ BPM sector provides career opportunities in which they can leverage their core field of knowledge.”
For example, there are BPM companies that provide services in health care, finance and law where doctors, nurses, lawyers and accountants who are passionate about technology can have a career in tech, using their core skill set”. (IH)