28 Aug 2008
Some things, unfortunately, never seem to change.
Yet again, the number of UK schoolchildren studying IT or for computing exams fell this year, even though we have undoubtedly the most technology-friendly teenage generation ever.
But we are not alone Intel chairman Craig Barrett last week bemoaned the state of technology education in the US. Barrett pointed out that in fast-emerging economies such as China and India, there is a premium on engineering and technology teaching, and a student enthusiasm unmatched in the West.
Many in the IT industry say the problem comes from a lack of computing teachers, rather than the attitudes of children. For any subject, the enthusiasm and motivation of the teacher is key to students’ success - and there is a widely held perception that there are simply not enough IT teachers with the ability to enthuse their class.
In how many schools is the computing teacher an expert in another subject, such as maths, corralled into taking the IT class?
The difficulty is that this is a tomorrow problem for a today-obsessed government. The knock-on effect of a lack of technology education now will not hit home for another decade at least. In the short term, there is little chance that the target of 140,000 new entrants into the IT profession every year for the next five years will be met - and the UK’s technological capability will suffer.
There are, unfortunately, no immediate solutions but we need a concerted effort from government and the IT profession to reverse the continuing decline in student numbers.
I would definitely disagree on this, as i have a couple of my friends who along with me have completed Engineering in IT and still are jobless, i come from INDIA where until early this year hiring was in a foray, but now it's a complete turnaround with more and more people who have placements in colleges are yet to be called for. Lack of students is no way true as there a plenty with and without experience in this sector waiting for a job.
Its better to be experienced as much as you can to withhold the job and with the market gloomy, i would prefer the students to get hold of some temporary jobs and complete certification and work on some projects till the IT market becomes stable enough.
Posted by: Hari 15 Dec 2008
I did everything right, I thought. First, I am an african-american female. I graduate in 2004 from Trinity College with a BSc degree in computer science. Prior to that and during my years as a student, I worked in the IT industry so I have several years of acquired skills and work experience...and I still can not get a job...I am fed up!!! There are so many jobs out there but I can't get even one offer....I am starting to become discouraged...I always hear that I would get a job especially because many companies look for minority females because there aren't that many in the industry. This is crazy and absurd...I have the knowledge and skill set plus great communication...what's the deal?????
Posted by: trinity ramos 14 Dec 2008
There will be no shortage of jobs, just I rekon companies will outsource their IT instead...
Qualifications, look for Professional Qualifications such as Microsoft or Cisco... unless you want to do programming Uni is useless. I run an IT support company and I generally look for people with skills not paper.
Posted by: Gareth 08 Nov 2008
Whenever there is any kind of economic downturn, IT jobs are some of the first jobs to go. Many companies are planning to significantly reduce their technology budgets in the current economic climate. That will have a direct impact on IT job opportunities in the UK and other countries. Many IT professionals are constantly worried about their jobs now.
Posted by: AJ 31 Oct 2008
I did an HND in Computing back in the early 80s and have worked in IT ever since, so I have no shortage of experience. However, these days without a degree I believe you are regarded as a bit of a dunce, and I'm certain that a degree-less CV is filtered out by agencies. I've just finished a computing degree with the OU and I regard it as extremely worthwhile both in terms of professional development and on my CV. I don't believe that only experience counts - you need good qualifications as well to get the best jobs.
Posted by: BH 29 Oct 2008
No they dont! The government and current market puts IT Students and Graduates at risk! Studying not the easiest subjects and then begging for a job, accepting any salary with no benefits just to get that initial/more experience. Don't you think, if the salaries and benefits were higher on average and conditions better, then more pupils would be interested to have a secured stable income/life?
Posted by: Arunas 10 Oct 2008
I've just graduated with a 2.1 degree from a top UK university with a degree in Computer Science. I walked into a software engineering job. I took my time looking for the exact job that would meet my career aspirations. The first job I applied for was also my first interview. I got my job within 24 hours of having the interview. I was told that it was my qualifications, the knowledge I demonstrated during my interview and my work experience that landed me the job. I have a brilliant job, its a joy to go into work everyday because I'm doing something I love. I don't think it's all about qualifications or experience I think it's a combination of the two. I did a lot of work experience as a software engineer during my degree year and I worked part time in customer service so I have the soft skills that a lot of techies lack. To say that IT qualifications are obsolete is a ridiculous notion. I worked hard for my job, during my time at uni and studying for my interview. I spent two weeks studying for it. I strongly believe that it is a combination of both that employers look for.
Posted by: Lynnsay 28 Sep 2008
I think the issue here is that a lot of people who do IT degrees expect to get given jobs on a platter when they leave - like any job this won't happen. I think it is unhelpful to make comments such as 'steer clear of IT as a career' - that's rubbish. The message should be, try harder to get where you want to go!
In terms of experience of qualifications, I think that will get less important as time goes on - previously there were very few routes in to IT other than working your way up the ranks - with more education in this area and a more business focus required, employers will seek new blood from university ranks while the number of non-educated IT folk will decline.
Posted by: Embo 23 Sep 2008
I'm from Ireland and currently doing my masters. I am out on placement for six months working with Pepsi. I noticed I will be the one in here with the highest grade level as some I.T. people just started at a young age and build up their work experience. More in here just started in the helpdesk and have being trained on the job and they are now head of I.T. security and other areas such as Database programmer.
The way I look at things is that college is there just to get an idea on computers and that you're able stick college out so you are reliable. It is the responsibility of your work place to train you up, they don't expect you to know everything unless you have specified you have been doing a particular topic such as software engineer for the last few years.
I.T. jobs are scarce now but they will always be around as well as new fighting students just emerging from college. The best way to keep ahead is to follow online articles. Tips and tricks and main thing is to keep learning.
Posted by: Pmcd 23 Sep 2008
I work in the IT industry for one of the global majors with a very strong education background in IT. Trust me, there is little value attached to having an IT degree in the UK. It's all about having experience and big names on your CV. It's a known fact that most of the people who work in the UK IT industry don't have any formal IT degrees. The most important thing is to get into the right company at the right time and gain the right kind of experience. Whatever that means.....
Posted by: VJ 19 Sep 2008
If what you really want is people trained to use Microsoft Office then most IT courses and syllabuses in the UK are fine, if you want people who have been educated to understand how IT systems work and can respond in unanticipated situations then perhaps you need to look elsewhere.
The problem seems to lie with the lack of communication between those who devise courses and syllabuses and those who employ people to install, develop and support IT systems.
Posted by: ctrl-alt-del 18 Sep 2008
The market is flooded with people doing IT, it's a disaster for anyone trying to get into it, there is very little chance.
I have personally known dozens of people who's lives never materialized trying to do IT.
Mata is right, it's a very bad career move to try to do IT these days and any kid that wants a future would stay well clear.
It's true, if you're not already in IT, you won't get anywhere.
Posted by: Hari 10 Sep 2008
"This is a tomorrow problem for a today-obsessed government"
..... absolute balderdash.
If employers are not prepared to accept a greater degree of risk, ownership and responsibility for training, how long do employers REALLY expect others to believe that Skills Shortages/Deficits spontaneously emerge, rather than a direct consequence of employers adopting the "not my fault, guv" attitude.
""This is a tomorrow problem for a today-obsessed government""
Today's problems are as a direct consequence of ignorance and incompetence of yesterday's Business Leaders - and if they had done something about it, not only would the IT Sector be in a better position, but the employers would still exist today and would not have been forced out of business yeserday.
Posted by: Rebecca Pidgeon 08 Sep 2008
I am a Diploma holder in IT. I couldn't get a job even after attending more than 20 interviews. Now I'm working as a "messenger" in a corporate dept of a major organization, I feel that if I completed a certificate level course in Finance or Marketing it would have been much more worthwhile rather than being a graduate in IT.
Posted by: Bua 29 Aug 2008
I'm a disabled IT graduate, I graduated 2.5 years ago with a 2:2 degree in computing. Ater 21 interviews and hundreds of applications now I still can't get a job because of little experience and no one will give me a job without it, therefore i'm not surprised there is a lack of students because you won't train people or give them a chance you expect them to hit the ground running and what jobs there are there are now too many graduates going for the same posts.
I wish I hadn't bothered..............
Posted by: Kurt Dreslin 28 Aug 2008
Have your say on this article
Newsletters
Latest stories from Careers and Skills
You may also like
Careers and Skills jobs
Technology Patent Wars
Case studies from large organisations across all sectors
... And rich media, and flexible working, and peaks in traffic ...
Upcoming Events
Join us for this Computing web seminar, in which the Head of BI at the Co-operative Group Nick Colebourn will be explaining just how he reigned in the Group’s sprawling database estate and how significant savings were realised and data quality improved as a result.
Date: 31 May 2012
Time: 11:00 AM
Live June 13th 11:00am: Register now. During this web seminar we will be looking at the sorts of incidents that can bring data centres grinding to a halt and what can be done about them.
Date: 13 Jun 2012
Time: 11:00 am
Receive the latest jobs direct to your inbox
Are you being paid what you are worth?
