The role of vocational training in ICT firms: the revelation

ABSTRACT

The fourth industrial revolution has led to a tremendous increase in the demand for IT specialists. Until recently, this sector had traditionally recruited university graduates, but given the shortage of candidates, it has turned to individuals with vocational training, finding that they are capable of performing the same work with a similar level of efficiency. This article examines the role of IT technicians linked to VET, the objective being to obtain evidence that can help adapt the training system to the new economic model. This analysis is carried out as part of an action research process in Bilbao involving digital firms, VET institutions, policymakers, and the authors of the paper as researchers. Twenty-eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with managers of digital firms to determine the role and related skills (technical, transversal, and work-related organisation) of IT technicians. The findings demonstrate that IT technicians play a critical role in digital firms’ business model and that their profile is currently on a par with those of university students. Also apparent is the necessity of establishing a shared language between firms, educational centres, and other agents in order to facilitate the adjustment of the training system in the fourth industrial revolution.

KEYWORDS:

• Vocational training
• VET
• IT specialist
• ICT firms
• fourth industrial revolution

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1. Source: LFS EP (2013–2022).

2. Source: Cedefop Skills Forecast: https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/skills-forecast Data corresponding to occupations (ISCO 25/ISCO 35).

3. GAIA is the Basque ICT cluster that brings together more than 300 companies in the sector.

4. The VASS Foundation aims to develop the new IT talent needed for the digital transformation of society. They publish an annual report on Digital Talent in Spain. (https://www.fundacionvass.org/).

5. A non-profit association that brings together more than 500 public, private, and state-subsidised vocational training centres from all over Spain.

6. DK/NA: Don’t know/No answer.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mikel Albizu

Mikel Albizu Echevarria is a pre-doctoral researcher at the Orkestra-Basque Institute of Competitiveness. His research focuses on the role of vocational training in the new economic model and in relation to the urban economy and innovation. He has published a paper on this topic: VET and KIBS, a promising relationship in the digital age. He has also worked on the creation of the Spanish VET Observatory and has been writing the Spanish National Annual Report on VET since its first edition in 2020.

Miren Estensoro

Miren Estensoro Garcia has a PhD in Economics from the University of the Basque Country. She is a senior researcher at the Basque Institute of Competitiveness (Orkestra) and lecturer at Deusto Business School. Her research focuses primarily on local and urban development and multi-level coordination of competitiveness policies, including talent and employment policymaking. In addition, action research is at the core of her current research work. Currently, she is leading several action-research projects with different territorial actors, such as the City Councils of Bilbao, Donostia, and Vitoria-Gasteiz, as well as the Basque Government, and has several publications related to them.