Skills Are Not Binary: Nuances in the Relationship Between ICT Skills and Employability
In regions with developing or transitioning economies, information and communication technology (ICT) skills are expected to provide potential employees a significant edge in securing comparatively high-paying jobs. However, ICT skills are not binary (i.e., there are ranges and levels of ICT skills), nor are the effects of ICT skills common across all contexts. To plan international development efforts that have the most impact on improving people’s employability, we need more information about the relationship between ICT skills and employment, such as which ICT skills and what level of skill are sufficient for improving employability. In this article, we examine ICT skills and employment in the context of a transitioning economy, using the Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan as a case study. Findings indicate that, while ICT skills can be a predictor of employment and are associated with higher income, the level of ICT skill required to attain these jobs is not as high as one might expect. Skills that are considered basic computer literacy in the Western world are, in many developing and transitioning countries, considered sophisticated skill sets held by small segments of the population. In a developing world context, these skill sets are associated with high prestige jobs, especially when they are combined with other factors, such as higher education. This finding has interesting implications for designing development programs to improve employability, suggesting that training efforts should focus on what are considered advanced ICT skills in the local context.

Adapting user-centered design methods to design for diverse populations
User-centered design methods such as personas and scenarios are useful tools for communicating extensive user research to designers. However, intensive data collection and onsite fieldwork required for personas and scenarios development can present a barrier for user researchers and designers working on technology innovations for diverse populations, including those in developing regions. This paper presents a model that demonstrates how user researchers and designers can use data collected for other purposes to source personas and scenarios and substantively adopt user-centered design approaches. We demonstrate our methods through a case study based on research in Kyrgyzstan.