Vice President of HP, Bobby Ford, on finding talent within the organization

Philosophy-trained individuals are not uncommon in senior management roles at technology companies. For example, Sergio Boixo, a Google Quantum physicist, and Bobby Ford, a vice president at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, both studied philosophy before entering the tech world. Ford, who emphasizes the importance of experience over talent, believes in nurturing internal talent within organizations to address the global shortage of technology professionals.

The shortage of technological talent is a widespread issue, with 78% of Spanish companies facing challenges in finding and hiring the right profiles. The rapid growth of the technology industry and inadequate training in this field prior to entering the workforce exacerbate the problem. The emergence of artificial intelligence has further strained the market, leading to an imbalance in supply and demand for skilled professionals.

According to data from the Cotec Foundation, technology-intensive branches are experiencing much faster employment growth compared to the overall economy. Despite this growth, only 7.7% of affiliates in Spain work in technology-related jobs, highlighting the need for more trained professionals in the sector. Juan Luis Moreno, director of innovation at The Valley business school, emphasizes the importance of creating, maintaining, and attracting talent to address this shortage.

While some companies invest in training their workforce to develop more skills internally, others struggle to retain trained professionals who are often lured away by higher salaries offered by competitors. Gender disparities in the technology sector, such as lower salaries for women and underrepresentation in ICT profiles, further complicate the issue. Promoting gender diversity, providing professional development opportunities, and investing in training programs are key strategies to address the shortage of trained personnel in the sector.

Leading experts in the field, such as Adela de Toledo of Pure Storage Iberia, acknowledge the challenges posed by the skills gap and emphasize the need for organizations to invest in talent development and training. The board supports accessible training for all employees, including women, and aims to promote female role models to attract more women to the technology sector. Ultimately, a multi-faceted approach that includes training, talent development, and promoting diversity is crucial to bridging the skills gap in modern organizations.