Resumen
Information technologists in South Africa come from any number of backgrounds and disciplines. Sheer market pressure may shift a career into the information technology (IT) domain. A perspective on the South African IT industry must include several points of view, beginning with training. All specialists require some kind of training, be it formal or informal. With training comes the necessary assessment of quality that is usually measured according to international standards and accreditation. The employment issue is another valid point. There is indeed a shortage of skilled, and more importantly experienced information technologists in the South African market. The current demographics of the IT industry and how training is addressing this issue, is another pertinent factor. A simplified model of format IT training is based on levels. Many companies or institutions train employees for a specific job by offering courses for which the employee is still certified. Sometimes employees take the initiative by enrolling in classes in order to receive a certificate. With this documentation they can apply for IT-related jobs not necessarily in the same discipline for which they are certified. Tertiary training may be followed by either attending a technikon or a university to receive a diploma or a degree.