High Demand For Tech Jobs In Malaga Unmet Due To Limited Training Opportunities

A substantial shortfall in qualified candidates has left numerous technology job vacancies unfilled in Malaga, underscoring the pressing need for enhanced training opportunities in the region.

Malaga province's thriving technological sector is in dire need of skilled professionals, but both the University of Malaga and vocational training institutions find themselves ill-equipped to meet the surging demand.

At the university level, the situation is evident in courses like the recently introduced cybersecurity program, where only 67 out of 420 applicants secured spots, resulting in nearly seven applicants vying for each available position. A similar scenario unfolds in the vocational training sector. For instance, the newly established Campanillas Integrated Public Centre for Vocational Training, offering intermediate and higher level courses, specialisation programs, and IT and communications-related professional certificates, has amassed a considerable waiting list, even with expanded evening class offerings.

The Fundación Tecnológica's interactive job market analysis reveals a recent demand for almost 10,000 job positions within Malaga province, with 1,109 of them situated in the technology sector. Software developers, digital project managers, community managers, software architects, and systems administrators rank among the most sought-after roles.

Employment within the technology sector is on an upward trajectory, with over 30,000 individuals currently employed. Over the past six years alone, the sector has added 6,000 jobs, marking a staggering 117% increase. The influx of new companies, including multinational corporations with numerous vacancies, will only intensify the demand for skilled professionals.

"The enthusiasm of aspiring students and the willingness of companies to hire them are evident. Clearly, the university is not keeping pace with this societal need," remarked Manuel Enciso, director of ETSI Informática.

The gap between demand and available slots extends to other programs as well, such as the double degrees in mechanics and industrial design, and robotics and mechatronics, where applications far outnumber the available spots. Computer engineering, too, experiences an excess of applicants, with 1.7 hopefuls for every seat.

Enciso argues that the University of Malaga's budget is stretched thin and calls for increased investment in infrastructure and personnel. "The immediate provision of new facilities is not an absolute prerequisite; we can accommodate one or two additional cohorts with the requisite faculty and a commitment to subsequent infrastructure improvements," he explained.

Encouragement arises from the recent announcement by José Carlos Gómez Villamandos, the councillor for universities, who pledged to expand the number of openings for high-demand degrees, particularly in technology-related fields. "I believe there is a social consensus, a widespread agreement that investing in the education of future professionals is imperative," he stated.

Rafael Godoy, director of the university's telecommunication school ETSIT, stressed the need for tailored training. "Different companies will have varying requirements, from doctoral or master's level qualifications to undergraduate degrees, and many will seek candidates with a strong technical background from vocational training. Collaboration with industry partners to align training programs with their needs is essential," he emphasised.

Godoy acknowledged the challenges of increasing admission capacity, especially in telecommunications. "Our supply and demand dynamics are more stable compared to computer science, for example. Moreover, the cost of specialised equipment, which often exceeds €30,000 and is shared by just two students, impacts the quality of training when we add more students."

Miguel Briones, the education delegate, acknowledged the current limitations but remained optimistic about the future. He cited the addition of over a thousand new openings, the introduction of six new qualifications (four of which are technology-related), and the potential of the dual education system, where part of the training occurs in real workplace settings, as promising steps forward to address the demand-supply imbalance in the coming years.

Source: Sur in English