The government wants IT employers to work more closely with the sector skills body e-Skills UK to improve the UK’s IT capabilities.

Speaking at the launch of a new campaign to promote skills across the workforce, minister of state for lifelong learning Bill Rammell said firms must increase their commitment and investment in staff training.

‘There needs to be a combination of government and employer investment to ensure all workers are skilled and to communicate the career opportunities in the IT sector,’ he said.

Sector skills councils are vital for sending out a coherent message about the opportunities in the IT sector, says Rammell.

‘I regularly talk to the IT industry about getting the message through to young people regarding the opportunities available in IT,’ he said.

Karen Price, chief executive of e-Skills UK, says higher-level skills are a priority for the IT sector.

‘We work with employers to ensure the UK’s IT professionals, business managers and IT users have the skills they need and are encouraged and able to develop these skills throughout their careers,’ she said.

Learning and Skills Council chairman Chris Banks says the government’s skills campaign is also a good way to attract more women into IT.

‘The campaign is designed to reach everybody with our web site and dedicated phone line, and we hope that all the sector skills councils will use the theme of getting the job you want to market career opportunities within IT,’ he said.

The government will launch a follow-up advertising campaign targeting employers, called ‘train to gain’, on 16 July.