Career opportunities

Studying after high school

• IT is very broad, and covers a lot of different aspects and fields.
• A wide variety of different courses, degrees and diplomas are offered at most universities, allowing
people to choose what they are passionate about
• Many universities offer degrees in Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Information
Systems.
• If one does not wish to pursue a degree, there are many short courses offered online to broaden
your skills. UCT offers many short courses such Web design, programming etc.

Job Availability in SA
• Continuous advances in the IT industry is driving the need for business to invest in various aspects
of IT. Hence, there is a growing requirement for IT skills.
• According to a report by the International Data Corporation, the IT industry in South Africa is
projected to grow by $3,6 billion from 2019 to 2024. This growth is being driven by factors such as
the increasing use of cloud computing, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
• Some of the most in demand IT jobs currently are:Data Analysts; Data Scientists; Software
Developers; Software Engineers; IT Program Managers.
• According to UNI24, software developers rank no. 1 for the most in demand job skills in SA.

Remuneration
• The average IT salary in South Africa is R 360 000 per year. Entry-level positions start at R 198 000
per year, while most experienced workers earn up to R 850 000 per year.

Promotion Opportunities
• By broadening ones skills through online courses and years of experience there is increased
opportunities for promotions and higher remuneration. (The pic on left: salaries of diff IT jobs).

Unemployment vs employment
• With qualifications such as a degree in computer science or IT, it is generally easier to find
employment. However, even without a formal degree, individuals who possess relevant skills,
certifications, and experience can also find employment opportunities.
• The tech industry is moving away from requiring degrees. Well-known tech giants like Apple,
Google, and Tesla no longer require degrees for their tech jobs.
• Some of the highest paying jobs without a degree is web developer, systems analyst, digital
marketing and network engineer.
• Some areas of the IT industry such as cybersecurity or data science are more competitive than
others, with greater demand for specialized skills or experience, and therefore may be more
difficult to obtain.

Career divide
• The career divide in the IT sector refers to the gap between entry-level and senior-level positions,
which can be significant. In many cases, individuals start their careers in entry-level positions, such
 as help desk support or software development roles, and work their way up to higher-level
positions over time.
• However, there can be challenges in moving up the career ladder in the IT industry, especially for
individuals who lack relevant skills or experience. For example, some positions may require specific
certifications, experience with certain technologies, or managerial skills that can be difficult to
obtain without prior experience.
• The IT sector is heavily dependant on STEM skills, and most learners in this country are lacking in
these skills.
• The gender divide. Research has shown that women, are underrepresented in senior leadership
roles in the IT industry.
• In South Africa, 51% of those working in the ICT sector are women but around 20% are employed in
formal jobs and 31% of South African organisations have no female representation at the senior
levels.
• As of 2022, women hold 26.7% of technology jobs.

Career inequalities
Gender pay gap
• According to MyBroadband Insights Women in the IT industry earn, on average, 23% less than men.
The report also found that the gender pay gap was more pronounced in certain IT roles, such as
software developers, where women earned 28% less than men.

Digital literacy
• There are three main contributing factors: access to hardware, understanding digital
communications and internet affordability. This is an obstacle to entering the IT industry as many
don’t have basic digital skills.
• This inequality was highlighted during the covid-19 pandemic, when the learner population was
split based on access to and literacy in technology.

Solutions
How can we help
• By visiting under privileged schools, who do not have computer literacy programmes, we can give
children basic computer skills.
• By donating our old devices such as phones and laptops, we can give them access to technology.

How can the work sector help

• Organizations in the IT sector can take steps to promote diversity and inclusion, provide training
and development opportunities for employees, and create clear career advancement paths.
• Create inclusive policies that encourage promotion of females to senior positions and efforts to
reduce pay gaps that exist.

How can the government help

• Government schools need to introduce digital literacy programmes from an early grade.
• They should encourage public private partnerships to improve basic access to the internet.
• They should provide bursaries to women who want to study IT.