Category: News

IT sector – opportunities and challenges

The IT sector is among the fastest growing industries in the world, and computer and information technology professions are continuously in demand in the labour market. In the EU context, the demand for jobs in the IT sector is constantly growing, with the interest of information and communication technicians increased by 6.9% between Q1 2021 and Q1 2022

At the same time, however, the IT sector faces a shortage of experts in various fields, including IT project management. Organizations strive to optimize user experience and automate tasks. They are looking for people who combine technical and soft skills such as technological expertise, empathy, sustainability and innovation with leaders who can deliver great solutions in a short time. 

The need for IT professionals in the labour market represents an opportunity for young people who are preparing to enter the labour market, but it is also an indicator of the problem. Projections show that the shortage of IT talent will grow over the next 5 years, which is also one of the biggest threats that the European tech industry will have to face.

SHIFT4IT project – change in the IT sector for women 

Project SHIFT4IT (Shifting the paradigm for women in IT sector) designed as addressing the shortage of women in the IT industry.

The project will develop training for women who want to become project managers in the IT sector. Through this training, young women will develop skills to understand programming terminology, lead teams of programmers and communicate with clients or users. As part of the project, 80 young women with degrees in humanities and social sciences will have the opportunity to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to enter the IT sector. Namely, women very often possess the natural and instinctive skills needed to successfully manage projects and teams that are an important aspect in project business in the IT industry.

Project partners

The coordinator of this Erasmus+ project is Centre of Technical Culture Rijeka, and as project partners with our agency participate:

• European Grants International Academy SRL (Italy),
• CONFAPI TERNI (Italy),
• Interface3 (Belgium),
• Fundatia EOS (Romania).

Partners will develop a curriculum tailored to the real needs of employers aligned with quality standards in non-formal education. For the trainers, they will prepare materials and organise training so that they can then adapt the non-formal learning methods to the needs of the trainees and prepare them for jobs in the IT sector.

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SHIFT4IT is a response to the growing European problem of labour shortages with IT knowledge. At the same time, it will create a link between IT experts and managers, and will allow employers to find employees trained to run projects that require the use of IT software programs.

On Wednesday, February 21, 2024, a visit to the construction site of the future Creative Technologies and IT Incubator - Sinergana co-financed by European funds through the project Creative Technologies and IT Industry Incubator – Energana.

Tour of the space Sinergane led by Jana Sertić, Head of the Administrative Department for Economy, Development, Ecology and European Projects, Ljiljana Buljan, Head of the Administrative Department for Urban Planning, Spatial Planning and Construction, Mladen Vundać, Head of the Administrative Department for General Affairs and a representative of the contractors – Lavčević d.d. and Lavčević-inženjering d.o.o., Stipe Gulić, Head of the Administrative Department for Urban Planning, Spatial Planning and Construction, and Marko Filipović, Mayor.

SOURCE: City of Rijeka

By reconstructing the energy building, over 2,700 square meters of future office and joint premises for entrepreneurs are arranged.

The space will also have an artificial intelligence laboratory with ICT equipment for the education of entrepreneurs in the field of AI application in entrepreneurship and an IoT/robotic workshop for the practical use of IoT and robotic equipment, testing and system development, a classroom for the development of computer games with workstations and software for the needs of all segments of game development with a 3D printer and 3D scanner and a studio for recording, editing and processing photo and video works, equipped with professional cameras, studio and field lighting, wallpapers, along with a sound and graphic studio and a projection hall. On the ground floor of the incubator building, the Data Centre will be located, offering data storage services to incubator users as well as interested economic operators.

As part of the future incubator, entrepreneurs will be provided with specialized education and mentoring services, thematic events and meet-ups, as well as support in three thematic modules:

• HubIT (IT, AI, Internet of Things),
• HubBOT (development of video games) and
• HubART (photo and video production).

In addition to incubation services, the incubator will provide space and equipment rental services and the organization of thematic events and educations, business consulting services and support services in the internationalization of business enterprises.

Expectations are to provide support services within the incubator for 90 small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the area of the Rijeka Urban Agglomeration.

So far, over 95 have been performed.% works, the remaining finishing works.

SOURCE: City of Rijeka

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More information is available here.

In the period from 6th to 9th February, regular service was successfully performed our Industrial 3D Sand Printer Voxeljet VX200 This printer, the only one of its kind in Croatia, is ready to continue its work in order to support entrepreneurs and strengthen the local and regional industry.     

VOXELJET VX 200 printer is based on Binder Jetting technology that makes it possible to make molds and cores from sand. This 3D printer with a working volume of 200x300x150mm suitable for prototyping, production of small batches of parts and research and development of products due to the fast delivery time.

More specific use cases include:

• Material development: The VX200 is an ideal platform for testing and qualification of new combinations of materials and binders.binderfor production.
• Production of test pieces and material tests: In addition to research and development, the VX200 is also used to produce test pieces and material tests.
• Prototyping and small series: With fast 3D printing, you can quickly get design parts and produce smaller series of products.

Binder Jetting The technology is used in a variety of industries, including the automotive industry, aviation, etc. Some examples include making molds for:

• development of new tools;
• casting samples,
• car parts, etc.

After the service, education was held within which our two employees, under the guidance of representatives of Voxeljet, Benjamin Her Simo, were certified for safe operation and maintenance of the machine.

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If you want to find out how Torpedo Production Park and the Rijeka Development Agency Porin can improve your business, contact us by email pptorpedo@porin.hr or rraporin@porin.hr or by telephone number 051 634 331.

Croatian Employment Service in 2024, it continues to implement active employment policy measures, including support for self-employment aimed at encouraging unemployed persons registered in the register of unemployed persons kept by the Institute to start their own business.

HIGH OF SUBVENCE AND ACCEPTIVE ACTIVITY

Support for self-employment may be granted to three groups of beneficiaries:

Group 1 – up to EUR 15 000.00 (GREEN/DIGITAL up to EUR 20,000.00)

It is granted for the registration and future performance of activities belonging to the following areas classified according to the NKD:

• (C) Manufacturing (Sections 25-33)
• (F) Construction (Sections: 41- 43)

Group 2 – up to EUR 10 000.00 (GREEN/DIGITAL up to EUR 15 000.00)

It is granted for the registration and future performance of activities belonging to the following areas classified according to the NKD:

• (C) Manufacturing (Sections 10-24)
• (J) Information and communication

Group 3 – up to EUR 7 000.00 (GREEN/DIGITAL up to EUR 10 000.00)

It is granted for the registration of activities belonging to the following areas classified according to the NKD:

• (D) Supply of electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning (Section 35)
• (E) water supply; sewerage and waste management and remediation activities (Sections 36-39)
• (G) Wholesale and retail trade; Repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (all sections except 47.99)
• (H) Transport and storage
• (I) Accommodation and food service activities (Section 56 only)
• (M) Professional, scientific and technical activities (all sections except: 69.1)
• (Q) Human health and social work activities
• (N) Administrative and support service activities (all sections except: 77, 78 and 79)
• (P) Education
• (R) Arts, entertainment and recreation (all sections except 93.19)
• (S) Other service activities (all sections except 94)

These amounts represent Maximum amount of aid which may be granted in accordance with registered activities, while the final amount of aid granted for self-employment will be determined on the basis of an assessment of the justification of the initial investment in accordance with the stated needs in the submitted business plan and cost statement.

ACCEPTABLE COSTS IN 2024 YEARS

Support for self-employment shall be granted by applying:

• a fixed amount – shall be awarded at an altitude of 5,000 EUR and is predetermined for the initial costs of establishing and registering a business entity, the costs of operating the applicant as a full-time employee and the usual running costs for the first few months of operation (accounting costs, lease of business premises, compulsory membership fees, administrative costs, costs the Small Inventory, raw materials and consumables (NEW), the cost of creating a website and advertising, etc.).
• variable amount – they vary according to the registered activity for which the aid is granted and the eligible costs can be classified into 4 categories:
  • purchase of new equipment necessary for the performance of the activity and which lasts or is used for more than one year (e.g. machinery, technique, tools, IT equipment, etc.)
  • purchase or lease of licensed IT programs
  • purchase of new means of transport (necessary for carrying out the activity)
  • purchase of franchises

PUBLIC CALL DURATION

Applications for aid shall be received at the latest by 30/09/2024, i.e. up to the cost of the funds provided.

CRITERIA

• Applicant must draw up a business plan This demonstrates that the business idea is sustainable. If you need help, we will work out a business plan with a cost statement as well as the entire application process for you.
• The aid is granted in a fixed and variable amount for operating costs, the variable amount being justified by the cost statement submitted with the business plan, which is an integral part of it, and which is paid into the account of the business entity.
• An applicant who had a registered business entity more than 24 months ago from the date of submission of the application may only benefit from the measure if it has settled all liabilities arising from public charges (contributions, taxes, surtaxes) in respect of the previous business activities of that business entity.

OFFICE EXPERIENCES

One-time, to the account of the trader, within 30 days from the date of signature of the grant agreement.

OBLIGATIONS OF USERS

• Maintain business and employment in the supported business entity for 24 months
• Dedicatedly spend the variable amount of aid during the first 12-month contractual period in accordance with the approved cost statement submitted with the business plan.
• Achieve total turnover, i.e. income from the exercise of registered activities in the period of 24 months from the registration of self-employed with the CPIA in the amount of at least 50% the amount of aid granted.
• Within 30 days from the date of purchase of the equipment, mark at its own expense the co-financed equipment with a value of more than EUR 1 500 (including VAT) by means of an information plastic sheet or self-adhesive plasticised label.

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More information is available here.