The global economic crisis and ICT: New challenges and opportunities for Malta
While it seems that the global economic situation has not greatly affected companies in Malta, the local ICT market should make the most of this situation, especially as an offshore destination. This was just one of the issues discussed during the...
While it seems that the global economic situation has not greatly affected companies in Malta, the local ICT market should make the most of this situation, especially as an offshore destination.
This was just one of the issues discussed during the first of a series of seminars entitled Industry Insider held last week at the University of Malta. It was organised by recruitment consultancy company Castille Resources, which specialises in ICT and financial skills, in partnership with the ICT Students Association of the University of Malta. The aim of these seminars is to bridge the gap between industry and university education by introducing students to the realities of working within the IT sector.
The first presentation was delivered by David Alamango, a director at 6pm and was entitled ICT and the Global Financial Crisis. His company employs over 100 professionals in Malta and the UK, mainly operating in the areas of business intelligence, document management systems and testing. 6pm has been working with Castille Resources for the last two years to facilitate the growth of their business through the supply of skilled IT profiles.
Mr Alamango provided the students with his observations on the impact of the financial crisis on IT companies, operating both locally and abroad. He began by outlining the negative effects of recession around the world. It is often the case that IT budgets are the first to be reduced.
He went on to talk about the Maltese outlook. Prior to the decline in economic activity, the job market was such that there were many opportunities in IT, making it easy for workers to move between jobs. It seems that the global situation has not greatly affected some of the companies on the island. Recruitment seems to be ongoing, although it may be moving at a slightly slower pace. The government continues to push on the IT scenario, investing in education and on projects such as SmartCity Malta.
Mr Alamango felt that the Maltese IT market should be trying to make the most of the negative situation. There could be potential for increased outsourcing to Malta as an offshore destination. Malta provides a combination of extensive IT skills at a relatively low cost which could prove attractive to organisations in unstable economic locations. Maltese IT professionals should aim to specialise in areas that the market is demanding and should be attending seminars, looking through the papers and job sites to keep informed on what the industry is demanding and how it is developing.
He felt that each employee should carry out a series of personal actions in order to prove their value to their employers and contribute to the organisation. It is important that IT professionals become experts on vital topics of importance to the company and do their utmost to perform well, provide valuable input and find ways to save organisation money. Employees should aim to network with the right persons and become holistic people, thus not focusing solely on their technological skills but also on personal and interpersonal skills.
In the UK the government continues to pump money into the sector, sticking to commitments for spending in order to overcompensate for the decline in the economy and keep people employed. This could provide opportunities for Maltese companies working abroad. 6pm's position within the public sector has placed them in a positive position to benefit from public spending, particularly in the areas of health and education. Further potential could be attained as companies aim to cut costs and increase efficiency through IT, concluded Mr Alamango.
The ICT Students Association is a representative of all students in computer-related courses. They provide students with advice on career progression, drawing up their CVs, choosing their area of studies as well as specific sector information. The partnership between ICTSA and Castille Resources was established 18 months ago in order to add value to the association's members.
The Industry Insiders series of seminars are being held at the KSU Common Room at university throughout the academic year and will include presentations from some of the sector's leading figures.
This was just one of the issues discussed during the first of a series of seminars entitled Industry Insider held last week at the University of Malta. It was organised by recruitment consultancy company Castille Resources, which specialises in ICT and financial skills, in partnership with the ICT Students Association of the University of Malta. The aim of these seminars is to bridge the gap between industry and university education by introducing students to the realities of working within the IT sector.
The first presentation was delivered by David Alamango, a director at 6pm and was entitled ICT and the Global Financial Crisis. His company employs over 100 professionals in Malta and the UK, mainly operating in the areas of business intelligence, document management systems and testing. 6pm has been working with Castille Resources for the last two years to facilitate the growth of their business through the supply of skilled IT profiles.
Mr Alamango provided the students with his observations on the impact of the financial crisis on IT companies, operating both locally and abroad. He began by outlining the negative effects of recession around the world. It is often the case that IT budgets are the first to be reduced.
He went on to talk about the Maltese outlook. Prior to the decline in economic activity, the job market was such that there were many opportunities in IT, making it easy for workers to move between jobs. It seems that the global situation has not greatly affected some of the companies on the island. Recruitment seems to be ongoing, although it may be moving at a slightly slower pace. The government continues to push on the IT scenario, investing in education and on projects such as SmartCity Malta.
Mr Alamango felt that the Maltese IT market should be trying to make the most of the negative situation. There could be potential for increased outsourcing to Malta as an offshore destination. Malta provides a combination of extensive IT skills at a relatively low cost which could prove attractive to organisations in unstable economic locations. Maltese IT professionals should aim to specialise in areas that the market is demanding and should be attending seminars, looking through the papers and job sites to keep informed on what the industry is demanding and how it is developing.
He felt that each employee should carry out a series of personal actions in order to prove their value to their employers and contribute to the organisation. It is important that IT professionals become experts on vital topics of importance to the company and do their utmost to perform well, provide valuable input and find ways to save organisation money. Employees should aim to network with the right persons and become holistic people, thus not focusing solely on their technological skills but also on personal and interpersonal skills.
In the UK the government continues to pump money into the sector, sticking to commitments for spending in order to overcompensate for the decline in the economy and keep people employed. This could provide opportunities for Maltese companies working abroad. 6pm's position within the public sector has placed them in a positive position to benefit from public spending, particularly in the areas of health and education. Further potential could be attained as companies aim to cut costs and increase efficiency through IT, concluded Mr Alamango.
The ICT Students Association is a representative of all students in computer-related courses. They provide students with advice on career progression, drawing up their CVs, choosing their area of studies as well as specific sector information. The partnership between ICTSA and Castille Resources was established 18 months ago in order to add value to the association's members.
The Industry Insiders series of seminars are being held at the KSU Common Room at university throughout the academic year and will include presentations from some of the sector's leading figures.