I am a consultant for an international consulting group and am currently designing an IT volunteer program.
This program will service the e-commerce/IT needs of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries, in particular, ASEAN. Whilst much work has already been done in raising e-commerce awareness and its benefits there is a need for SMEs to have access to IT skilled knowledge workers, particularly in relation to hands-on e-commerce implementation. SMEs within this region are at varyng levels of e-commerce acceptance and understanding and would require volunteers with different levels of IT skills, from pure strategy to e-commerce software training and on going support.
Work and living conditions may be challenging, ASEAN countries include Malaysia, Phillipines, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand.
My questions are these:
1. Due to the ‘documented’ shortage of IT workers do you think it will be difficult to attract people to serve on volunteer assignment?
2. Do you think IT workers with the knowledge but not the experience would see this as a great opportunity to gain experience in very challenging situations?
3. If an organisation had an affiliation with this program do you think volunteer assignment (for say 2-3 weeks at a time) would assist with IT employee retention?
4. Do you think an organization would sponsor their employees to serve on volunteer assignment?
Your comments are appreciated, and any personal interest you may have in this program – let me know.
Thank you in anticipation,
Yours sincerely
Rhonda Andrews