Prime minister calls on industry to nurture information technology skills

17:30 26th November 2008

Gordon Brown has called on the IT sector to invest in training to ensure the UK remains competitive within the technology industry.

Speaking at the Confederation of British Industries conference, the prime minister urged employers to nurture the existing skills of their employees as well as providing training so that they are able to cultivate new ones.

The economic downturn has caused many companies to implement cost-cutting measures but Mr Brown warned that slashing training budgets could prove a missed opportunity.

He told delegates: "The challenge is for each of us in the spheres of influence that we have, to surmount the insecurities and risks and to manage the teething troubles of this new global age - whilst never losing sight of the vastly increased opportunities it brings for business."

Network World reported that there is a skills gap within the IT sector which could be good news for those considering thinking of re-training to begin a career in IT.