IT Professional Landscape: Trends, Certification, and Ethical Frameworks

IT Job Market Trends and Professionalism

The trend for IT jobs is moving upward with fluctuations, influenced by market and economic needs.

Global IT Trends

• Globalization Impact

  Fewer large IT-related projects are being initiated in developed countries.

• Outsourcing Practices

  Large organizations increasingly focus on their core business, leading them to reduce their internal IT departments and procure service agreements from third-party IT service companies.

• Offshoring Initiatives

  More IT-related projects are being relocated to developing countries, particularly to major cities in India and China.

Local IT Trends in Hong Kong

• Fewer permanent positions, with a rise in contract-based jobs and freelancing roles.
• A wider remuneration gap, significantly dependent on the performance and ability of IT professionals.

IT Professional Bodies and Certification

International IT Professional Bodies

• Association for Computing Machinery
• British Computer Society

Local IT Professional Bodies

• Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (IT Division)
• Hong Kong Computer Society

Defined by the IT Functional Constituency, IT professionals are individuals who are members of relevant associations and have the right to vote in the IT functional constituency.

An IT professional should be a person who has completed or is completing 8 stages of development.

The initial step to becoming an IT professional is crucial: completing an accredited program recognized by a professional body.

Certified Professional of IT (CPIT)

The CPIT provides credentials covering a wide spectrum of IT subject matters and disciplines. This certification is equivalent to that of Chartered Engineers, Certified Accountants, etcetera.

Mandatory Licensing for IT Practitioners

• Strengths

  • Enhances the image of IT professionals.
  • Improves the overall service quality of practitioners.
  • Protects the general public from dangerous practices by incompetent practitioners.

• Weaknesses

  • Many unqualified IT professionals may lose their jobs.
  • Excessive government control may affect free trade and stifle creativity.
  • Many IT sectors do not involve public interest, and such licensing creates barriers for young people entering the IT industry.

The IT community believes professional licensing through legislation is a way to improve the overall image and status of IT professionals.

Hong Kong IT Professional Certification System

Sponsored by the Hong Kong SAR Government, this system aims to raise the competency and professionalism of IT professionals through a professional certification scheme.

The Hong Kong Institute for IT Professional Certification (HKITPC) is involved in this initiative.

Benefits of Professional Body Membership

• Provides a structured path and training for development.
• Offers opportunities for Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
• Instills confidence in the general public.
• Encourages the adaptation of the world's best practices.
• Increases overall service levels.

Typical Activities of Professional Bodies

• Provide different classes of memberships.
• Organize regular seminars and symposiums.
• Provide accreditation for professional courses.
• Facilitate formal CPD completion by professionals.
• Provide a "Code of Ethics."

Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

Definition of CPD

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is a systematic means to maintain, improve, and broaden one's skills and knowledge that are essential to carry out one's duties professionally.

Needs for CPD in the IT Industry

• IT is an ever-evolving field, requiring continuous maintenance of skills.
• IT sectors require improvement and broadening of skills and knowledge.

Typical CPD Activities for IT Professionals

• Enrolling in courses offered by recognized professional societies, education/training providers, or as part of in-company staff development or training.
• Attending professional activities, including conferences, seminars, workshops, and visits.
• Participating in professional services, including committee work, education/training (e.g., mentoring), and research publications.

Benefits of Trade Certifications in IT

• For many IT Professionals: Regard trade certification as an excellent CPD opportunity recognized by the industry.
• For young IT Graduates: Many young recruits in IT sectors view trade certification as an "entry ticket" for job interviews.
• For Employers: Regard trade certification as a "trademark" for technical competence.

Ethical Frameworks and Professional Codes

Code of Ethics

A Code of Ethics is a general statement of ethical values issued by professional bodies.

Code of Conduct

• Also known as "Rules of Conduct" for professional members.
• It serves as a formal guideline for IT professionals, covering standards for privacy, safety, and other related ethical issues.

Code of Practice

• It is a formal and mandatory guideline for helping professional members make decisions related to their practices.
• Many government organizations and large corporations also adopt the code for their employees.

Purpose of Professional Codes

These codes provide a set of formal guidelines for professionals, offering valuable guidance for members (especially young and inexperienced professionals) to handle difficult ethical situations, and informing the public of the behavior and standards of their members.

Features of Professional Codes

• Inspire: Inspire members to uphold ethical standards.
• Educate: Educate members on moral standards.
• Set Normative Standards: Establish normative standards, ensuring adherence to moral and legal principles.

Different Levels of Codes

• Codes of Ethics: Focus on principles.
• Codes of Conduct: Focus on the rules.
• Codes of Practice: Focus on the operation.

Degree of Enforcement

• Violation of Code of Ethics: High-level, with few practical concerns as it is difficult to enforce.
• Violation of Code of Conduct: May lead to warnings or exclusion from membership.
• Violation of Code of Practice: May lead to legal action (i.e., civil and criminal) if non-compliance is found.