BCS calls for more IT support
19/12/2007(15:56)
The information technology (IT) skills shortage could be addressed if the government recognises its strategical importance, the British Computer Society (BCS) says.
It should continue to offer financial support to graduates taking computing and IT courses, the BSC suggested, adding that it would benefit the UK's "knowledge economy".
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has hinted it could withdraw funding support for many students who want to study at a level lower or equal to where they already hold a qualification.
BCS head of learned society and external relations Mike Rodd said: "As well as being economically important, the IT industry is vital to the delivery of public services.
"Almost every major government initiative requires IT-enabled change."
The organisation estimates the skills shortage in the industry to top 210,000 across Europe by 2010 and cited research by the Council of European Professional Informatics Societies that said there will be 70,000 vacant IT positions a year.
Tom Hadley of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation recently said that young people were not being taught skills relevant to working life.
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