'More IT professionals needed with relevant skills'

12:17 3rd March 2009

Businesses across the UK are calling for a wider range of topics to be included on IT training courses in order to be able to plug their skills gaps.

Writing for CRN, Micro Focus chief Stephen Kelly said that computer technology is increasingly vital in the running of a successful business, but a worsening skills shortage is hampering the ability of corporations to maintain their networks, many of which use older software as a result of budgetary constraints.

Firms are seeking to involve themselves more actively with colleges and universities to make sure that emerging IT graduates have gained a range of core skills through their computer training, rather than simply learning modern systems.

Six out of seven businesses believe they lack the training and knowledge to maintain their computer systems, while the number of students seeking IT careers is thought to have fallen in recent years.

Mr Kelly added government support is needed to address the issue.

Charlie Ponsonby, chief executive officer of Simplifydigital, recently said that more widespread computer training could encourage more people to use IT and the internet.