Which segments of the IT industry show the most promise in learning and development, in your opinion?
As technology continues to evolve rapidly, organizations of all sizes must embrace digital transformation in order to stay relevant in their industries. In 2020, the adoption of new technologies has accelerated even more, and many business leaders are turning to learning and development to help them address these changes and challenges.
However, creating a culture of continuous learning is not a simple task. It involves more than just providing access to the right technologies and training. Employees must understand the value of investing in their own learning and see how it can help them advance their careers and contribute to the growth of their organization. Willingness to change, flexibility, and a hunger for learning are key criteria for both individuals and organizations to be ready for the future.
At Trainocate, we understand that one size does not fit all when it comes to training. Our methodology is based on vendor-based training, tailored to meet the specific needs of our clients. Before implementing new technologies, it is important for decision-makers and leaders to be aware of the different digital transformation solutions and innovations that are available, and for IT staff to have the necessary skills and knowledge to support the transition. We take pride in helping individuals and organizations navigate the digital space.
In addition to addressing the current skills gap in the IT industry, we also recognize the need to create a pipeline of future IT professionals. Through our Skilling & Placement program, we are working with universities to promote the importance of professional qualifications in addition to degrees. This program aims to provide graduates with a career launchpad through upskilling via Microsoft Role-Based Career Pathways, as well as offer “talent on demand” to enterprise clients. At the professional level, we also offer customized courses for large businesses that lead to globally recognized qualifications.
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What are the latest trends and innovations in the IT industry in the learning and development segment?
Digital transformation has progressed beyond being a passing fad in the age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It has become increasingly necessary for businesses to survive and thrive in today’s competitive marketplace. The pandemic has forced us to re-imagine the education sector, giving rise to collaborative and personalized learning technologies. These trends have greatly impacted the industry. As of the end of 2021, the global Education Technology Industry (EduTech) was valued at US$106.46 billion, with a prediction of rapid growth.
To address these changes, Trainocate, a leading provider of learning and development services, has developed several digital solutions to meet the needs of our clients. Our team of specialists is highly trained and keeps up-to-date with all of the latest technologies, including Cloud, Data, AI, ML, and IoT, to create top-tier solutions that drive our clients’ digital transformation plans.
As digital transformation progresses, the need to reskill an organization’s existing workforce on how to use new digital processes and tools becomes increasingly important. It also means that many conventional occupations will soon be automated, making certain jobs obsolete. However, this also creates new opportunities as new employment arises when new needs emerge. In addition to overall organizational reskilling, there is a new emphasis on continuous upskilling. The introduction of eLearning courses from professional learning platforms like Trainocate has made upskilling simpler for the corporate sector.
Our assessment tool, TAT (Trainocate Assessment Tool), provides our trainers with a detailed report on each student’s competencies, allowing trainers to focus on the specific individual requirements of students during training. We also conduct feedback sessions with trainers by getting feedback from trainees at the end of every class to maintain a diligent focus on customer expectations and goals.
We also have a Learning Management Systems (LMS) called RESET – Remote End-user Self Enablement Training, that offers 5000+ task-based training videos on Microsoft 365 and the ability to add your own content. These videos can be streamed from any device so users can complete their assignments from anywhere, at any place and at any time. The videos can be linked to any adoption campaign messages by job role or department. The viewing history of the training videos are also available for tracking and reporting to identify learning trends and reward employees using built-in gamification models. RESET is indeed a learning companion for life!
Women in Tech is an initiative to improve Gender Diversity in the Tech Industry. It aims to inspire and support women to consider a future in the field of technology across Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.
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What is your outlook for the IT industry over the next year or so – especially in the context of the nation’s ongoing economic crisis?
Prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, Sri Lanka’s IT industry employed over 120,000 people and was the country’s fifth-largest export earner. Sri Lanka was on track to become the top exporter in the next five years, and the workforce was expected to more than double. However, with the government defaulting on its foreign debt and key shortages affecting the economy, these plans are now jeopardized as routine corporate operations become more challenging to sustain. Sri Lanka’s IT industry has traditionally attracted more talent than other vital industries such as banking and tourism due to its high salaries and flexible working environment. People are the true competitive advantage for the IT business, and unfortunately, brain drain is another serious issue the government will have to address.
It is important to note that not all businesses are the same, and economic downturns impact each industry differently. Business owners in the IT industry can take a number of steps to adequately prepare themselves during an economic crisis. Microsoft Modern Workplace solutions, for example, can improve employee productivity and satisfaction, create more seamless communication and collaboration across locations and platforms, and maintain the security and integrity of systems and data. These solutions allow organizations to “Do More With Less.” Additionally, with the gradual increase of the tech-savvy GenZ population joining the workforce, investing in a solution like Modern Workplace will be a long-term profitable solution.
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Could you outline the most pressing challenges the industry is facing in the midst of the prevailing economic scenario?
As an IT training and solutions provider, Trainocate has been busy helping clients review their digital transformation needs, despite a plummeting economy. With over 27 years of experience in the Learning and Development industry, Trainocate is a Japanese company with a global presence, including offices in 15 countries. We have an in-depth understanding of the EduTech market and have won recognition from industry leaders such as Microsoft, Google, and AWS.
My journey with Trainocate started in 2020. With over 14 years of experience in the IT industry in both Singapore and Sri Lanka I was appointed to set up and lead Trainocate Sri Lanka in 2020 during the pandemic with a zero-client portfolio. Today I lead Trainocate operations for the SEANM region including Sri Lanka and in August 2022 I was also appointed to lead Trainocate Middle East and Africa region.
Despite budget slashes in many companies, we continue to help our clients understand the value of investing in technology and related learning/training, even in these turbulent times. We engage with our clients through social media and in-person meetings to provide the necessary support for their digital transformation.
In 2022, we trained over 200,000 IT professionals, demonstrating our commitment to helping organizations navigate the ever-changing technological landscape.
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And last but not least, what’s your assessment of the performance of ICT in the learning and development segment in recent months – and what does the future hold?
With the transition to Web 3.0, which refers to the third generation of Internet technology, the world is steadily embracing the metaverse era of augmented reality and mobile technology at 5G. The pace of technological advancement is now at an almost lightning speed.
Sri Lanka is a country that embraces technology very quickly. However, our talented and bright youth are often unable to obtain globally accepted qualifications due to financial constraints and the economic situation in our country. The reality is that we are currently going through a global recession. Organizations are retaining and hiring qualified and skilled individuals. They are looking for people who stand out rather than fit in. An awareness of new technology, creativity, innovative ideas, understanding of data, data security and privacy, and the value of Artificial Intelligence are imperative for us to move forward.
To stay competitive, businesses must be ready to embrace digital transformation in their operations, tap into business data in new ways, and rethink IT system management and data security. For individuals, understanding and knowledge of technology is no longer an option, but is critical to survival.
The best businesses in 2022 invested in their people and kept up with the most important trends in EduTech. Trainocate has been at the forefront of supporting our clients, including reskilling and upskilling young people, IT teams, tech professionals, and employees of diverse institutions over the past year. Promoting IT education at all levels provides the younger generation with access to global career opportunities. We provide the tools to empower individuals and help organizations become future-ready.
The future of IT brings with it unprecedented opportunities for businesses and people who are forward-thinking and well-prepared.