Strategies to bridge the technical skills divide By Simon Bishop, Global Head of Talent Acquisition, SoftwareOne Simon Bishop SoftwareOne's Cloud Skills Report, covering research conducted in 2023, shows this global shortage is impacting 98% of organisations with delays in critical projects and missed financial targets due to lack of cloud skills. This year, SoftwareOne sponsored the Institute of IT Professionals South Africa (IITPSA) Skills Report. It highlights how the skills shortage in South Africa is inhibiting the country's ability to leverage its digital economy, which is essential for economic growth and reducing unemployment. In turn, this has real cost implications in opportunities, revenue and competitivity lost. Urgent need to close the gap Although skills deficits differ from country to country, the issues remain the same.