BCS calls for incentives for UK firms

UK businesses are wasting money on IT support costs and ineffective working methods, the British Computer Society (BCS) has claimed.

The industry body has asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to give his full support to computer skills and training in the pre-budget statement.

"UK business competitiveness is being hampered because of a lack of computer skills among staff, leading to reduced productivity and time wasted seeking advice from colleagues," said Pete Bayley, European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) deputy director at the BCS.

"We estimate that an hour a day is lost through lack of knowledge on IT issues," he added. The ECDL is the industry standard qualification, promoted in the UK by the BCS.

The BCS wants financial incentives to increase UK competitiveness in industry. Its recommendations for change include revising the recently suspended Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs) to help individuals gain qualifications, offering employers tax credits for adult skills training, and the promotion of best practice throughout the economy.

"[Offering incentives to] both employers and employees to improve their computer skills is essential if the UK is to remain competitive in Europe," said Bayley.

The ILA scheme, the backbone of a national skills strategy, was suspended last month following a series of scams by rogue companies.