More local IT jobs expected
Global IT research firm International Data Corporation (IDC) has released their latest economic forecast for South Africa and the globe.
Between the end of 2009 and the end of 2013, the South African IT sector can expect 2 300 new businesses and 95 000 new jobs. The global forecast for the period is for 5.8 million new jobs, and 75 000 new businesses.
Local IT spending will reach R97 billion in 2009, and is expected to grow to R125 billion by 2013. IT related activities are expected to generate R29 billion in tax revenue. Globally, IT spend should reach US$1.4 trillion by the end of 2009, and is expected to grow by 3.3% per year, for the next four years.
Currently, 430 000 people are employed in the South African IT sector, and this is expected to reach 524 000 people by 2013 says the IDC.
Mark Walker, Director of IDC Middle East and Africa division, broke down the job numbers. 2010 will see 21 000 jobs created as a result of the football World Cup. New systems will require support, maintenance and customisation, driving the job growth.
2011 should see 21 000 jobs created through government infrastructure projects, such as Gautrain. 2012 brings a further 23 000 jobs as the commercial demand for IT sees a surge, since skills were tied up in national projects. The economy is predicted to have long recovered by this point, and broadband prices should be down, influencing the growth.
2013 is projected to have 29 000 new jobs created as new tech markets come into the picture. Digital distribution of media, IPTV, and mobile content delivery are just a few examples of such new markets.
Without the 2010 World Cup driving the IT sector in 2009, growth may have been slightly negative, or at best flat, said Walker.
The study also found that IT spending on software creates a disproportionate share of the skilled job growth. While software equates to about 12% of SA’s total IT spend, it drives 47% of employment in the industry, through creating, distributing, installing or servicing the software. The software market is forecast to grow at an average compound rate of 7.3% through to the end of 2013.
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