Retraining is a stumbling block to Armenian IT companies, Armen Abrahamyan, Cluster Coordinator, IT, Competitive Armenian Private Sector (CAPS), USAID, told NEWS.am. IT knowledge becomes obsolete very quickly so retraining of vital importance, he said.

“IT knowledge becomes obsolete 3-4 percent within a month, and substantial changes can take place within three months,” Abrahamyan said. An IT specialist needs at least biennial retraining courses, otherwise he will not be considered “half a specialist” in four years.

The government tax policy does not ease the problem. In most case companies have to sponsor retraining from their own profits. So they are not so much interested. Unfavorable conditions for retraining affect working efficiency, Abrahamyan said.