The race is on! Research reveals IT outsourcing and offshoring are taking competition to a new high
DATELINE: OTTAWA Oct. 11
The Information and Communication Technologies Council (ICTC) announced today the release of two new reports that explore the evolving role of IT outsourcing and offshoring and the impact on Canadian business, human resources and competition. The reports offer important information and guidance to the ICT industry, a key driver of innovation and competition in Canada accounting for over 600,000 jobs and more than 5.9% of the GDP.
The import and export of ICT products and services have a significant impact on the demand for ICT workers in Canada. Key findings from the reports, titled "Canadian Perspectives on ICT Outsourcing and Offshoring" and "Canadian Information Systems Outsourcing/Network and Desktop Outsourcing Services," include:
- Canadian buyers have become more comfortable with the notion of
offshore services, more educated on offshore services and more firms
have adopted offshore services.
- Canadian buyers only require an average cost savings of 33% to source
a service from offshore
- Current levels of outsourcing IT/business services show that almost
50% of Canadian companies report outsourcing some aspect of IT or
business process
- While traditional IT outsourcing is not diminishing in value, managed
services are gaining traction and appeal to more than 50% of Canadian
medium and large companies
"Outsourcing and offshoring are complex issues critical to the continued growth and competitiveness of our industry and workforce," says Paul Swinwood, President of ICTC. "These reports offer insights and recommendations that will assist organizations in their strategic planning activities moving forward."
Most importantly, as key drivers of human resources in the ICT sector, both reports provide essential input into the much-anticipated ICTC Outlook on Human Resources in the ICT Labour Market slated to be released in spring 2008. In the Outlook, ICT executives, educators and policy makers alike will find information on important trends and gain perspective on the future of the ICT labour force, including key industries and their human resource needs. ICTC is currently calling on industry, government and education leaders to get involved in the development of the Outlook by contacting Cherri Grills, Project Manager at c.grills@ictc-ctic.ca
About ICTC
ICTC is a not-for-profit sector council, funded in part by the Government of Canada. We are dedicated to creating a strong, prepared and highly educated Canadian ICT industry and workforce. ICTC is a catalyst for change that will provide labour market intelligence, life-long professional development and quality education and training for the Canadian ICT industry, educators, governments and the ICT workforce. We forge partnerships that will help develop the quantity and quality of ICT professionals needed to maintain and improve Canada's position as a leader in the global marketplace.
CONTACT:Cherri Grills, Project Manager, Telephone: (613) 237-8551 ext. 149, Email: c.grills@ictc-ctic.ca