Trade body to study UK public sector

CompTIA has launched a scheme to compare skill levels against industry standards

Poyadgi wants to examine IT skills in the UK public sector

The global trade association for the IT industry will investigate the UK's public sector organisations, in an effort to gauge computer skill levels.

CompTIA will compare the abilities of workers against industry standards by using a web-based assessment tool. The new software has already been tested by staff at Staffordshire County Council.

The scheme will help to improve the performance of IT initiatives in the public sector, said Matthew Poyiadgi, European director of CompTIA.

"We are constantly told about how big the gap is between IT skills in the public and private sectors but I’ve yet to see any real evidence to back this up,” said Poyiadgi.
"If there is a gap, let’s identify and measure it. Furthermore, let’s nail down where the gap is and what skills need attention.

"Only then can we really help the public sector challenge private business on level ground.”

CompTIA announced the initiative at the Learning Technologies trade show in London. The group will officially unveil its assessment software next week.