Apprenticeship programmes can get more youngsters into IT sector
I refer to the report (“Rethink needed to attract millennials and fill talent void in Hong Kong’s IT sector”, April 9).
I do think Hong Kong, especially in the financial technology sector, lacks talented individuals from the millennial generation. Under the current education system, millennials, also known as Generation Y, often struggle to discover talent that may remain hidden. They are constrained by the syllabus and the narrow scope of knowledge they acquire from textbooks.
I agree with Adecco Group chief executive, Alain Dehaze, who said that companies should consider developing talent through their own apprenticeship programmes. This can help youngsters from this age group acquire the relevant knowledge and skills in stages and on a salary that can attract more recruits.
However, an IT job is quite demanding. It involves a heavy workload, including overtime. Some young adults from Generation Y might not like that. It does not fit in with how they envisage their perfect workplace. They seek a good work-life balance, which probably includes a fairly light workload and enough holidays. Firms could deal with this by having project-based contracts with a division of labour.
This would make the millennials feel comfortable with their working environment and companies could be more productive. It would also mean millennials were more likely to stay with a firm for an extended period of time, rather than switching jobs regularly.