Data/IT is not prioritized at the university of applied sciences
It does not make sense that high demand for tech skills is met with a reduced number of places on higher education programs. TechSverige's industry policy expert Pia Högset writes this in a commentary.
Yesterday, the Swedish Agency for Higher Vocational Education (MYH) announced which applications will be granted funding to conduct higher vocational education. One of the areas that was not prioritized in this year's application round is computer/IT. Only 42 out of 289 applications were granted, which is a reduction in the number of training places by ten percent compared to last year. This leaves us with few successful applications AND a 10% reduction at a time when the industry is crying out for skills and technology is developing at a rapid pace. Despite a cooling economy, the tech industry continues to grow, albeit at a slower pace. Looking ahead, growth may accelerate given increased receptivity to new technologies and innovations, which also requires an increased supply of skills. This does not make sense.
MYH itself writes that it is above all industries with great needs that are prioritized. So what are high needs? The tech industry, as well as other industries, both in the private sector and in public administration, demand tech skills; skills in AI, cybersecurity, system development, project management, IT architecture, IT security, support, etc. The list is long and the need for skills in the field of data / IT education is great.
"MYH itself writes that it is above all industries with great needs that are prioritized. What then are great needs?"
According to MYH, the argument for reducing the number of training places in data/IT is that there is an uncertain labor market for new graduates from higher vocational education, and that the proportion in work after the training has decreased. "This needs to be put into context. In a recession, it takes longer to get into work. This applies to many sectors. This does not mean that there is no need today and it says even less about the needs going forward, when we have emerged from the recession and recruitment really picks up again. Higher education courses are a form that is well suited to professionals who want to raise or deepen their skills to develop in the profession or switch to another, a piece of the puzzle for the tech industry's skills supply map.
It is difficult to understand the reasoning that industries with high needs are prioritized while this type of training is declining. Our recurring skills survey for the tech industry shows that there is a shortage of 18,000 IT specialists every year until 2028. Tech is a pillar of the Swedish economy, but it requires access to the right skills, which means that MYH needs to prioritize these courses.We would also like to see UKÄ given the task of increasing the attractiveness of higher vocational education by improving awareness of the form of education as such.
Pia Högset
Business policy expert