Many Russians hesitate to pursue IT professions, often believing that age makes mastering a new field impossible. This view appeared in a survey conducted by the NAFI Analytical Center for socialbites.ca, highlighting a persistent belief about age and learning new technical skills.
Among those who turned away, 36% cited the fear of delaying training as the primary reason for not pursuing full professional growth or enrolling in IT courses. The study notes that this concern is more common among people over 55, suggesting that later-life transitions into technology are particularly challenging for older workers.
Other frequent reasons cited include lack of free time (26%) and the higher cost of education (16%). The data indicate that men and younger or middle-aged individuals more often cite time constraints as a barrier to entering IT, underscoring a time-pressure hurdle across many demographics.
Additional factors mentioned by respondents include not being able to apply newly acquired skills in their current jobs (16%) and the perceived difficulty of the training process (14%). These reasons show that both practical work context and training design influence decisions about starting IT studies.
On a more positive note, two-thirds of Russians (66%) expressed interest in IT training in the future, with the aim of using the knowledge for business or personal purposes. The survey reveals a broad gender balance in motivation: women report a willingness to participate at 66% while men show 67% interest, reflecting a shared interest in skill development across genders.
Earlier reporting indicated a notable uptick in IT job opportunities, particularly for iOS and Android app developers, following recent developments. The data point to a growing demand for software talent in the mobile space as part of broader digital employment trends.