The latest Computing Agenda Setters debate covered the skills needed by the industry, and how IT directors can attract and retain the brightest and best talent.

Our panel says industry should work more closely with universities to help make courses more relevant to commercial needs, while employers need to offer a wider range of possible career options to technical staff.

IT needs to communicate more effectively to the wider market that technology roles can be exciting, challenging and even fun, breaking the stereotype that it's only relevant for male maths or science geeks.

One of the primary recommendations is for IT professionals to develop cross-functional skills, enabling them to understand business and technical issues.

Matt Bross, chief technology officer at BT, says re-skilling staff is a major issue.

'It's not hard to get the people, it's hard to get the right people. What I need is a converged set of skills that allows them to solve now the new problems I'm facing,' he said.

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