Retaining talent in a context of constant technological changes is a multifaceted challenge, said a panel at Internet Day organized by Cabase, moderated by Tamar Colodenco, Public Policy and Government Relations Manager for the Southern Cone at Google.

Alicia Bañuelos, president of the Naos Foundation, observed that the key lies in education. She highlighted the significant growth of the IT industry in Argentina, though she emphasized that it could be even greater. She cited data indicating that around 8,000 people enter the knowledge industry each year, of whom 6,000 focus on software development. At the same time, however, there are 12 million young people who have not completed high school.

“If, in addition to giving them the opportunity to finish high school, we provided them with computer orientation, there could be many more software developers,” she noted. “We need to get more people interested in science,” she added.

Leandro Mora Alfonsín, Executive Director of Development at Argencon, pointed to the economy, which must evolve with its own dynamic and stability to support the growth of the knowledge economy. He identified two main challenges in talent retention. On one hand, the necessary coordination between different educational levels and their social and productive environment. On the other, that the macroeconomy stabilizes and provides clear signals going forward.

“As long as there was a gap in the exchange rate of the dollar, employee turnover at large Argentine software companies exceeded international levels because it encouraged freelancing. With the reduction of that gap, 45% of companies reported that their turnover had decreased to international levels,” he explained.

Delfina Montoya, People Director at Globant Latam, noted that the mass adoption of AI “complicates the task of retaining talent.” In this regard, she outlined some of Globant’s initiatives, such as the creation of a campus where accumulated experience and knowledge are available in various formats. The company also applies a “matching” mechanism that connects individuals interested in a topic with those who have expertise in it.