The talent shortage in the Spanish technology sector is becoming increasingly critical. A recent survey by the SAP Users Association (AUSAPE) reveals that 73% of technology companies face serious problems in finding and hiring qualified talent. This survey, carried out during the AUSAPE 2024 Forum in Granada, shows that 90% of respondents welcome the growth of AI and robotization, which could partially mitigate this lack of qualified professionals.
Josep Capell, CEO of CEINSA, a human resources consultancy, points out that this situation is largely due to the mismatch between the educational offer and the demands of the labour market. “The training offer,” explains Capell, “is more in line with the needs of applicants than with the real needs of the labour market. It is very curious how many people are training for the video game industry, and yet there are application programming languages where it is difficult to find training offers.”
Lack of tech talent in Spain
Another key reason is the possibility of working with international companies, which opens up much more attractive opportunities for Spanish professionals, both in terms of salary and the nature of the projects. In addition, teleworking allows these specialists to collaborate with foreign companies that offer better working conditions. According to Josep Capell, CEO of CEINSA, there is also a discrepancy between the conditions offered by companies, especially small and medium-sized ones, and the expectations of workers, which makes hiring difficult.
From AUSAPE, José Domingo Mouriz, head of the HR Working Group in Barcelona and the SAP area of the Barcelona Provincial Council, adds that public administrations face an additional challenge. In the IT department of the Provincial Council, for example, 20% of the staff is over 60 years old, which means that in less than four years they will be of retirement age. Meanwhile, private companies can adjust their offers to attract talent, adapting salaries and facilitating teleworking, administrations are limited by the Basic Statute of Public Employees (EBEP), which reduces their flexibility to compete in this aspect.
In the survey carried out during the AUSAPE 2024 Forum, in which more than 450 companies participated, a majority positive response (90%) was also noted regarding the advance of AI and robotization in the technology sector.
Mouriz also highlights that the advantages traditionally offered by administrations, such as work-life balance, flexible hours, or teleworking days, are being matched or surpassed by the private sector, which has been able to adapt better to the needs of the market.
To support technology companies in their recruitment processes, AUSAPE has developed an Employability Portal within the SAP ecosystem. In addition, it organizes the Employment Forum, a platform that connects students and companies in the sector. In the last edition held in Granada, 130 students from 11 training centers and 16 companies participated, achieving an 80% placement rate, reaching 100% in areas such as SuccessFactors and BTP.
The next AUSAPE-SAP Employment Forum will take place during the 1st “Digital Potential” Congress, focused on Digital Transformation, AI and Cybersecurity, on September 19 and 20, 2024 in Cáceres. These initiatives seek to position Spain as a European technological hub.
