The “skills gap” in the telecoms and ICT industry is well known and has long been an issue for organisations. Recruiting a diverse, well-skilled and enthusiastic workforce continues to be a challenge for employers with many struggling to recruit enough talent.

Encouraging people into the telecoms and ICT industries needs to start at a young age. While many schools are increasingly promoting STEM subjects, lack of knowledge of many industries means that children are not necessarily encouraged into the jobs that require digital skills talent. Ask an average 10-year-old and it is unlikely many will say they want to be a telecoms engineer when they grow up. Better engagement between industry and schools could hopefully change that.

The best, long-term solution to get a skilled workforce into the telecoms and ICT industries is through apprenticeships. PTT has been working with preferred apprenticeship providers for many years to provide the knowledge elements of these apprenticeships. Hundreds of individuals now study PTT courses as part of their apprenticeships every year, giving them the knowledge they need to enter the workforce equipped for a productive future.

Digital apprenticeships supported by PTT include Level 2 Telecoms Field Operative, Level 3 Information Communications Technician and Level 4 Network Engineer. Click here for more information about PTT’s role in delivering telecoms and ICT apprenticeships >>

It seems that looking into a crystal ball to see visions may become a reality. Or at least you will be able to look at your phone to see your relative who is currently abroad magically appear sitting in your living room.

Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica and Vodafone have conducted a pilot with Matsuko, a start-up that has developed a holographic calling app that works on smartphones and tablets.

During a video call using the app, the live 3D image of your cousin in Australia is blended into the image of your living room as captured by your phone’s camera.

Telefonica has also partnered with chip firm Qualcomm to build extended reality hardware and collaborate on the development of metaverse applications.

Such virtual world applications depend on reliable, high bandwidth communication systems.

PTT’s online courses and study programmes provide an immersive experience for technicians and engineers to ensure they have a solid foundation of skills and knowledge needed to maintain those systems and are prepared for new horizons.

Mobile devices are now so prolific it is hard to imagine our lives without them. We are used to always being connected to the outside world so it can be a strange feeling when you end up in an area with no signal. This is especially worrying when an emergency arises.

Some technology companies are attempting to solve these issues. For example, Apple’s new iPhone will provide limited satellite communications. In emergency situations, users will be able to connect to a Globalstar satellite and send compressed, short messages to emergency services and other contacts. This information can include the coordinates of the device in case the user requires rescue.

US-based mobile operator T-Mobile have taken another approach by teaming up with SpaceX, whose next generation of Starlink satellites will include antennas that will provide a wireless signal using the existing mobile spectrum. This means that end-users will not be limited to a specific phone and can continue to use their existing devices. While the bandwidth offered by this service will be far lower than that provided by ground-based antennas, users should be able to send text messages to their contacts no matter how remote their location.

Of course, neither of these solutions replaces more traditional methods of mobile communications, which now provide the higher bandwidth and low-latency communications that consumers demand. However, they will certainly be reassuring in an emergency.

Mobile operators will also continue to expand their existing networks as wide as possible as well, not least because it is far cheaper to build a mobile base station than it is to launch a rocket filled with satellites into space.

For a more grounded introduction, PTT has a range of courses covering mobile and wireless networks such as "Wireless communications", "Introduction to mobile systems" and "Mobile radio communications". These courses are ideal for those joining the industry in a technical role who require a comprehensive introduction to the technologies, standards and infrastructure involved in mobile radio provision.