“Education is the catalyst for technology – without it, there is no innovation”

In an increasingly competitive job market, the need for qualified talent in technology continues to grow. SWitCH, an initiative of Porto Tech Hub in partnership with the Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto (ISEP), is a response to this challenge, promoting the specialization and retraining of professionals to fill the skills gap in the sector.

In this interview, Inês Maia, vice-president of Porto Tech Hub, explains how this program can help companies attract and retain talent, drive digital transformation and prepare professionals for the demands of the future.

How can SWitCH project help HR managers attract and retain qualified talent in the technology sector?

As technology evolves, the need to find qualified talent increases – it’s a progress that is both disruptive and demanding, placing new expectations on the world of work, both on organizations and employees. This is where SWitCH comes in: as a whole, this training offer aims to specialize talent and help companies fill these gaps, while always keeping up with market volatility.

SWiTCH QA, which closes on February 13, offers participants the chance to join a promising career as Quality Assurance Testers. This is one of the courses that Porto Tech Hub is running in partnership with the Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto (ISEP) and which is aimed at both workers in the field and people from other backgrounds who are looking for a turning point in their careers – as long as they have a degree. In technology, the need for these professionals is growing, and this specific course corresponds to a profile that is lacking in terms of specialized training on what the market is really looking for – which is why SWitCH QA is a pioneer in Portugal.

In addition, this edition has a partnership with the Santander Foundation, which will result in support of 1000 euros in tuition fees for the selected students, thus taking another step towards facilitating access to technological education.

One of Porto Tech Hub’s missions is to invest in education and continuous training in technology, as we believe that this is the only way to train highly qualified and competitive talent, foster the business fabric of the Northern region and decentralize technology.

In this way, this area of PTH’s activity is a powerful ally for human resources, attracting and retaining talent in the Porto region and offering organizations the chance to count on specialists in emerging areas. On the other hand, it’s an excellent opportunity for the participants, who embark on attractive careers and competitive salaries.

SWitCH promotes the preparation of organizations for the challenges of digital transformation and the new skills required in the job market. In what way?

We strongly believe that education is the catalyst for technology and that it is through education that we make our way. As users, we observe the evolution of technology from our cell phones, through social networks and news such as quantum computing and aerospace systems.

However, we have to remember that what we are seeing at the moment is very specific and surgical work by highly trained and qualified teams in the most varied technologies. With these successive evolutions comes the constant need for professionals to update and study continuously.

Digital transformation is undoubtedly the new reality for organizations, bringing new expectations for the internal organization of companies and for recruitment. For this transition to be smooth and for organizations to remain competitive in the market, it is important to pay special attention to the adaptation process, new business growth models and the adoption of these innovations.

It is for these reasons that, by regularly providing specialized professionals – SWitCH QA, for example, is now in its third edition – we help ensure the quality and competitiveness of companies by unlocking the knowledge needed to facilitate this transition. By investing in both training and hiring these talents, we are guiding the digital transformation, not merely accompanying it.

What are the main benefits that SWitCH offers companies to help them develop more innovative and resilient teams?

The shortage of talent is something that has deeply marked the job market. The latest study carried out by ManpowerGroup, the Global Talent Shortage Survey 2025, highlighted that the shortage of talent in IT continues to be felt, reaching 76%. Although this figure has fallen by 4% compared to 2024, it reinforces the need to specialize new professionals in order to meet growing demand.

One of the solutions to this challenge is to focus on upskilling and reskilling. In addition to being a pioneering and differentiating course in Portugal, SWiTCH QA is aimed at both the specialization and requalification of professionals, and is thus in line with the current panorama and these recruitment trends.

There is therefore the possibility for companies to train students in SWiTCH courses, which range from software quality assurance, programming, cybersecurity and Big Data, but also the possibility of recruiting trainees who have done well in the courses, for which you need to contact Porto Tech Hub directly.

This initiative came about in response to the trends in the technology sector that are most in demand today. For companies to be made up of more innovative and resilient teams, they need to look at these technologies as a window of opportunity, to align themselves with progress and attractiveness.

From the feedback we’ve gathered, the students who graduate from our courses bring a new outlook and an informed perspective to companies – which certainly makes them stand out in the market.

How can Human Resources leaders use SWitCH initiatives to foster the continuous development of their employees in emerging areas of technology?

As mentioned above, there is the possibility of enrolling your employees in SWiTCH courses, contributing to their training and guaranteeing a competitive edge in emerging technologies, or of taking on trainees, giving new talent in the sector the opportunity.

SWitCH QA is also an advantage for professionals who work with manual software testing, allowing them to significantly improve their skills and knowledge. In this way, the training brings a qualified workforce with more skills and knowledge into the job market.

What opportunities does SWitCH offer companies to connect their teams to the main technological advances and innovation trends?

The entire SWitCH offer provides a new and broader perspective on technology and innovation, which is advantageous when applied to companies. At the same time, Porto Tech Hub develops activities aimed at involving and empowering the technology community through networking and debate.

By regularly bringing together the sector, from professionals to companies and those interested in the area, we foster Porto’s technological ecosystem and synergies between participants.

Of these moments, the one that brings the most impact to the city and the country is the Porto Tech Hub Conference, which annually brings together the sector, with national and international participants and companies, to debate and deepen knowledge in new technologies.

From your perspective, what is the role of Human Resources leaders in creating an organizational culture that embraces innovation and the changes brought about by SWitCH?

It’s important for human resources to adopt an attitude that encourages employees and organizations to actively seek knowledge and update their skills. This is necessary for employees to evolve as professionals, but also for them to then apply this added value in their workplaces, helping companies to remain competitive and position themselves at the forefront of technology.

By being aligned with the latest technologies and market hiring requirements, SWiTCH is a strategic partner for these professionals and for companies.