The Italian digital market has started up again. Information technology, telecommunications, content are confirmed on the rise. The driving force is always the mobile business, but the real shot is marked by the Cyber Security sector. All this as Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, and Robotics advance.
The challenge of digital skills is increasingly strategic and essential for Italy, to fill the gap in innovation and professional skills with other industrialized and emerging countries.
We are a country with a strong propensity for the digital economy, but which struggles to create the necessary skills to support it, but above all, it lacks a long-term strategy that involves companies and the training system. There is a lack of an overall vision that gives the push to fill the technological gap with the most advanced countries and that coordinates the paths of Digital Transformation.
In an increasing number of tasks, the possession of transversal skills, entirely new to that occupation, is increasingly required. Now the technical, managerial, professional, or relational skills of the consolidated professions must be combined and integrated with the new digital skills, favoring more technological and dynamic work environments.
In Italy, high-level technical-scientific profiles (Data Scientist, Business Analyst, Project Manager, Security Analyst, Innovation Manager) and experts in data management, IT security, IoT, digital media specialists, mobile and traditional application developers are missing. All figures necessary for digital transformation projects, indispensable figures to support the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0).
Ensuring enough professionals with the appropriate skills must become an absolute priority, which is why it is essential to encourage young people to study and to pursue a professional career in the Information & Communication Technology sector, promoting those skills that are increasingly required by the job market.
On the other hand, ICT managers and professionals have the duty to guide the process of technological transformation of their companies and consequently contribute to the economic and social recovery of the country, but this cannot happen until there are enough people with the skills, skills, willpower, and adequate enthusiasm.