Why young people are key to closing the digital skills gap

Technology and digital infrastructure are an integral part of our daily lives. From online shopping to social media, from healthcare to education, every sector of the economy has been transformed by technology. However, the rapid pace of technological advancements has created a skills gap in the industry, one that’s becoming increasingly difficult to fill. The shortage of skilled professionals has led to a significant challenge for companies seeking to maintain and improve their digital infrastructure.

Where has the skills gap come from?

The skills gap in the tech and digital infrastructure industry is a global problem. Research suggests 70% of technology employers are experiencing skills shortages, with the gap likely to increase as technology continues to evolve, making it increasingly difficult to find skilled professionals.

The reasons for the skills gap are varied, and they include the rapid pace of technological advancement, a lack of investment in education and training, and the changing nature of work. As technology continues to evolve, it is becoming increasingly difficult for individuals to keep up with the latest developments. Additionally, many educational institutions are struggling to keep up with the changing demands of the industry, leading to a gap between the skills that graduates possess and the skills that employers require.

How can we close the skills gap?

The best way to close the skills gap is to encourage more young people to enter into careers in tech and digital infrastructure. Younger generations are more natively adept at using technology, and are often the first to explore latest digital trends. By encouraging young people to pursue careers in the tech industry, we can create a new generation of skilled professionals who can help to close the skills gap.

There are many pull factors for potential careers in the tech and digital infrastructure industries. For starters, careers can offer excellent job security, competitive salaries, and opportunities for growth and advancement. Additionally, these careers provide individuals with the opportunity to work on innovative and exciting projects that can have a positive impact on society—something incredibly important to socially-conscious younger people.

There are many ways in which young people can be encouraged to enter into careers in tech and digital infrastructure. One approach is to invest in education and training programmes that focus on these fields. These programmes can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the industry. Additionally, companies can offer internships and apprenticeships that provide young people with hands-on experience in the industry.

So, what is MIX doing to help?

To get young people interested in a career in digital infrastructure early, we launch MIX’COOL in 2012. The MIX’COOL programme is an informative meeting aimed at secondary school students. We hold the event either at the MIX datacentre or as an interactive online session. The sessions aim to bring young people closer to the reality of an Internet Exchange Point (IXP) and the importance of IXPs in exchanging and moving data over the Internet infrastructure.

One of MIX’s most long-standing members, Administrative Manager Monica Arensi, is passionate about encouraging more people to join the MIX team. She said, “MIX is a solid company in continuous evolution, with a very high growth potential due to our progressive industry. It has always been attentive to the professional growth of its employees; even for the youngest recruits there are many growth prospects.”

This young audience are constant users of the internet. Entering a data centre like MIX gives them the chance to hear the “noise of the Internet” with their ears, and see what is behind social profiles, online shopping, gaming, and chatting with their friends. Last year, more than 450 students and teachers from 13 schools took part in the programme.