We’re always hearing about a skills shortage in the IT industry. Recent studies have pointed to this and it’s certainly nothing new.
O2’s latest report has suggested that the UK is in need of 750,000 extra digital workers by 2017 if it wants to make the most of a £12bn economic opportunity.
The UK Government has established digital economy initiatives that are targeted to accelerate annual economic output worth £7bn by 2017.
The skills shortage problem is clearly one that needs to be addressed but it will require a unified effort from businesses, colleges and universities and the government.
The money up for grabs is far too substantial to disregard. To be honest, especially when there are so many people in the UK desperate for work, it has to be the government that leads the way and should not simply be left to those in the industry.
There are people who need and want to work – they just need the training and encouragement to forge a career in the digital sector.
