The information and communication technologies (ICT) sector is consolidating as an economic engine in Catalonia and is beginning to show signs of maturity. Since this year, offers for profiles related to cloud and cybersecurity have grown, according to the latest Barometer of the technological sector in Catalonia, prepared annually by the Cercle Tecnològic de Catalunya. The ecosystem thus takes another step, considering that until now developers were more sought after, a demand that remains, but now expands, with websites and applications that are uploaded to the cloud and must be protected from cyberattacks.
The problems in finding profiles like those mentioned continue to be one of the characteristics of the sector, which laments that the policies being promoted to train new workers do not quite meet the existing demand. "If this were not the case, we could produce more," says the president of the Cercle Tecnològic, Joan Ramon Barrera.
Despite the lack of profiles, ICT companies continue to grow in Catalonia, with a total of 17,000, 50% more than ten years ago. In 2012, that figure stood at 11,300 companies. Consequently, turnover rises, to 23,8000 million euros, 65.85% more than a decade ago. The number of jobs created also rises, with 120,800 employees, 57% more than in 2012. All in all, this sector's contribution to GDP is between 9.5% and 10%.
If the pandemic accelerated the sector, even over-dimensioning it with a 12% increase in employment in 2020 that was reversed in 2021 and now maintains the positive trend of previous years, new crises are also affecting it. 78% of respondents indicate that the war in Ukraine and inflation are having a negative effect on business performance.
One of the tools that can serve to boost these figures, in addition to increasing the training and retraining of professionals, are the Next Generation funds. On this issue, technology companies are disappointed, lamenting that a rapid execution was promised to accelerate digitalization and it has not yet materialized. The sector gives a 4.3 rating to the impact of these European aids. "Many expectations were generated and companies prepared, but the funds have not arrived with the announced speed," remarks Barrera, waiting for them to materialize in 2023.