HR Corner Protecting and perfecting solutions by Isabella Lee Global technology company looks to the future via extensive training Information technology encompasses a range of aspects of computing and technology, with IT professionals performing duties ranging from data management to computer engineering. Since digital information is such an essential asset, businesses of all sizes must take stringent measures to protect, secure and manage this information at all times. Information storage is therefore a fast-growing IT segment. "There is a shortage of talented professionals in the information storage field, and this will continue in years to come," says Ren Zhi-hui, director of global services (Greater China), EMC Corporation. Rocketing growth As the world's top developer and provider of information infrastructure technology and solutions, EMC is the market leader in external storage systems and software storage management around the globe, including the greater China region. The company's business has developed rapidly, Mr Ren notes. "We have seen double-digit revenue growth over 16 consecutive financial quarters. In our Asia-Pacific and Japan regions, the figure is as high as 30 per cent." Shortage of talented professionals in the information storage field will continue in years to come Recognising that a lack of storage knowledge would prevent the industry from meeting future market demands, EMC was a frontrunner in taking a range of initiatives to address the need for more skilled professionals in the field. EMC team members are encouraged to equip themselves through various learning tools, including in-house EMC University education programmes. The company also offers a range of quality accreditation and certification programmes for other IT professionals. Meanwhile, an EMC Academic Alliance programme has been designed to nurture IT leaders of the future. "In China alone, we have partnerships with 20 top academic institutions, including Peking University and Tsinghua University, to provide support in fostering talent for storage infrastructure management," Mr Ren points out. In addition to hardware support including the donation of laboratories to colleges and universities, EMC also provides training assistance to its programme partners. For example, a Storage Technology Foundations A programme focuses on the development of concepts and principles behind storage technology rather than on specific products. It is the only programme of its kind that builds a strong understanding of underlying storage technology and prepares students for future education in advanced concepts, technology and products, says Mr Ren. Students learn about the architecture, features and benefits of intelligent storage systems, networked storage technologies, long-term archiving solutions, the increasingly critical area of information security and the emerging field of storage virtualisation technologies. "Most importantly, we want to attract high-calibre IT graduates with potential to EMC and to the IT industry as a whole," Mr Ren points out. "It is part of our corporate citizenship to share the fruit of our consistent and heavy investment in the research into and development of innovative concepts and new methodologies." Internship programme Among its many initiatives to expand the talent pool in the sector, the industry leader offers an internship programme to create opportunities for students to get valuable practical experience. "The programme creates a win-win situation. Participants gain solid knowledge through on-the-job observation, role assignments and projects in their specific fields of study," Mr Ren adds. Graduates majoring in relevant disciplines who want to enrol for the programme undergo a number of screening and interview procedures. Mr Ren explains, "While hard skills are the basics, we are looking for people with a passion for IT, which is a key component to make EMC a vibrant workplace fuelled by creative ideas and innovative thinking." Recent intern Helen Li is an information-engineering student from the Chinese University of Hong Kong who joined the programme this summer before returning to the campus for her final year of studies. Ms Li's 10-week temporary job adventure provided hands-on experience in Hong Kong, Beijing and Macau, where she did office and administrative work and joined site visits to several of EMC's customers, including large organisations such as China's Ministry of Finance. "The programme gave me the opportunity to experience the real IT world, especially through the company's massive customer base," Ms Li remarks. "I also gained insight into the EMC culture and found the company has a friendly atmosphere despite its large scale, and I picked up useful soft skills from my mentor and fellow interns," Ms Li emphasises. "I am looking forward to continuous learning through studying and trying out new ideas, in order to embark on a career based on creativity and hard work." Salient points Tailored education programmes offer team members learning opportunities Quality accreditation and certification programmes for IT counterparts Academic alliance programme consolidates strengths from 20 top Chinese academic institutions Investment in training part of a corporate citizenship Internship programme creates win-win situations Taken from Career Times 5 October 2007, p. A20 Your comments are welcome at [email protected]