Four of the UK’s most influential IT industry bodies are teaming up to promote and improve professionalism throughout the IT community.

The BCS, skills body e-Skills UK, trade association Intellect and the National Computing Centre have set up an industry-wide initiative called Prof IT.

BCS chief executive David Clarke says there is a groundswell of support to promote professionalism in IT.

‘Unfortunately, professionalism is nowhere as high as it should be,’ he said. ‘Professionalism needs to become part of the business. The alliance will extend as we are all trying to get the profession to grow up.’

Clarke believes that increasing professionalism will help add to the pool of available talent for UK employers.

‘Because of the perception of a lack of professionalism, the industry is not attracting enough good people, even though IT is critical to business and society,’ he said.

As part of the initiative, Intellect has published draft guidelines for increasing professionalism in IT. The guidelines focus on seven key elements of organisational professionalism: integrity, processes, people, communication, relationships, learning and citizenship.

The guidelines, due for final publication in the autumn following a consultation period, are designed to help organisations implement, demonstrate and assess IT professionalism.

‘We have a commitment to work together to raise the level of professionalism in the industry as a whole,’ said Intellect director Nick Kalisperas.

‘The guidelines recognise that professionalism needs to exist throughout the supply chain incorporating customers and suppliers. It is fundamental for the project to succeed.’

Intellect director general John Higgins says the Prof IT initiative aims to boost trust between suppliers and customers to help improve the delivery of successful IT programmes.

‘Up to now there has been no benchmark for IT professionalism in organi sations,’ he said.