ICT specialists
Workers with technical or software engineering skills.
How the laws define this
National policy frameworks consistently identify ICT specialists as workers or individuals possessing advanced, specialized digital and technical competencies—such as software engineering—who fill technical roles to support the digital economy and labor market demands. Each framework connects these roles to targeted development measures, including education, upskilling, or workforce initiatives. They diverge, however, in how specifically they delineate qualified personnel and specialized fields. The National Strategy of Digital Skills of the Slovak Republic and Action Plan 2023–2026 anchors its criteria in demonstrated background, explicitly requiring advanced education, qualifications, or professional experience. The National Strategy for Digital Skills of the Slovak Republic and Action Plan 2023–2026 (Národná stratégia digitálnych zručností SR a Akčný plán 2023–2026) expands on specific domains, explicitly covering graduates and professionals across software, networks, cybersecurity, and data. Conversely, the National Action Plan for Digital Skills 2021-2025 (e-skills Action Plan) focuses more broadly on labor market support, highlighting worker certification, upskilling, and pipeline development via university and industry partnerships.
Synthesised from the 3 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.
How jurisdictions differ
What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first. Showing 2 of the 3 instruments that define this term; all are listed under Definitions below.
| Jurisdiction | Instrument | Status | What is distinctive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slovakia | National Strategy for Digital Skills of the Slovak Republic and Action Plan 2023–2026 | In Force | Emphasises advanced competencies, inclusion of graduates, and targeted measures to boost supply and employment pathways in the digital economy. |
| Cyprus | National Action Plan for Digital Skills 2021-2025 (e-skills Action Plan) | Superseded | Focuses on upskilling, certification, and partnerships with universities and industry to address digital needs. |
What it triggers
- In Slovakia, the National Strategy for Digital Skills sets out measures to increase the number of ICT specialists and promote employment pathways.source
- In Cyprus, the e-skills Action Plan called for upskilling, certification, and development pipelines for ICT specialists in partnership with industry.source
Definitions (3)
Workers possessing technical, software engineering or other specialised ICT competences who support the labour market's digital needs; the Plan addresses their upskilling, certification and pipeline development in partnership with universities and industry.
Individuals possessing advanced education, qualifications or professional experience in information and communication technologies who fill technical roles in the digital economy and for whom specific education and workforce measures are targeted.
Individuals with advanced digital and technical competencies who support the digital economy, including graduates and professionals in software, networks, cybersecurity, data and other specialised ICT domains; targeted by measures to increase supply and employment pathways.
Not to be confused with
ICT professionals emphasises employment status, while these definitions include broader roles like graduates and target specific upskilling.
Digital competences are general skills for digital age, whereas these focus on specialised ICT roles and professionals.
AI talent is specific to AI/ML expertise, narrower than the broader ICT specialisations in these definitions.
Questions and answers
What measures target ICT specialists in Slovakia?
The strategy aims to increase their numbers through targeted education and employment pathways.
How does Cyprus support ICT specialists?
Through upskilling programs, certifications, and collaborations with universities and industry partners.
What distinguishes these ICT definitions from general digital skills?
They focus on advanced, specialised ICT roles with targeted support, unlike broader digital competences.
Related Terms
ICT professionals
Specialists employed in information and communication technology roles....
Digital competences
Skills for life and work in the digital age....
upskilling/reskilling
Processes to increase or change workforce competencies....
intermediate and advanced digital skills
Specialised ICT competencies for employment and advanced tasks....
AI talent
Individuals with applied AI and ML competencies....