Promoting ICT as a preferred career choice – to boys and girls alike – at school level in South Africa leaves much to be desired. “We’re simply not capturing the ‘best and brightest’, which is sad because, increasingly, IT is taking on a more prominent role in organisations,” notes Susan Rousseau, client development manager at Insource ICT. “Our ‘best and brightest’ are choosing other science-orientated careers over IT, which impacts our skills shortage severely.

“In addition, IT is viewed as a career for men, and women are not encouraged to choose IT, or supported in their choice.