Lack of IT proficiency “is short changing UK professionals”

Citation

(2004), "Lack of IT proficiency “is short changing UK professionals”", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 36 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ict.2004.03736cab.003

Lack of IT proficiency “is short changing UK professionals”

Lack of IT proficiency “is short changing UK professionals”

Executives who cower from computers and run scared from spreadsheets nowadays pay a hefty price for their technophobic tendencies, according to research from UK vocational awarding body City and Guilds.

The research among recruiters reveals that career progress can be dashed and pay rises delayed or reduced if professionals fail to master office technology – losing them £55,000 over their working life. IT skills are fast becoming a prerequisite for the modern workplace, with half of recruitment consultants questioned claiming that employers are more likely to demand candidates with IT qualifications.

Marketing specialists are set to lose out the most if they fail to update their computing skills, with nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) of recruiters stating that bosses within this sector prefer applicants with IT training. Business-service workers are also affected by this new demand, as more than a third (36 per cent) of those questioned claim that employers in this field also favour IT-qualified candidates. Some 59 per cent of those hiring for public-sector organizations favour new starters with IT ability.

Recruiters increasingly recognize the benefits of IT and contemporary office skills, with more than three-quarters (77 per cent) acknowledging that they boost productivity and nearly a third (31 per cent) placing priority on an IT qualification over industry knowledge. This is particularly relevant to the retail sector, with more than two-fifths (45 per cent) stating that they regard IT as more important.

One in five recruitment consultants said candidates are failing to regard IT skills as critical to their career. Those working in the leisure industry appear to be one most blind to this demand, with more than a third (35 per cent) failing to appreciate the benefits of an IT qualification. They are followed closely by travel-industry workers (30 per cent), those working in engineering (29 per cent) and accountants (23 per cent).

Paul McCloskey, City and Guilds Senior Product Manager, business and ICT, said: “We have been aware for some time that the need for IT knowledge is infiltrating the modern workplace and the research demonstrates that this demand is prevalent throughout different industry sectors. Employers are increasingly recognizing that sound IT skills are a good investment. It is therefore vital that people make sure they update their technical skills. Not only will this benefit their chances of employment, but it will also lead to a healthier pay packet.”