Skills dearth set to worsen in Europe

Training 2002 to be greeted with 47 per cent rise in required skills.

Western Europe's shortage of IT skills is expected to increase to 1.6 million staff - or 12 per cent of the total required - by 2002, according to a study by research firm IDC.

The skills requirements of inhouse IT departments is forecast to grow to 12.2 million people in 2002, from 8.3 million in 1997, a rise of 47 per cent, but the available pool of staff will increase at only six per cent a year.

'The challenges of maintenance and innovation will continue to increase demand for IT skills,' IDC stated. 'We predict that the shortage we have seen will become more acute unless urgent action is taken to step up training and reskilling initiatives.'

The company warned this could lead to exorbitant prices for deferred projects.

In 1997, the demand for skilled IT professionals totalled 9.1 million and approximately 320,000 of these positions were unfilled.

IT skills are increasingly being soaked up by issues such as year 2000 and preparing for EMU. The shortage of staff is relegating innovative projects to second place.

Meanwhile, a group of companies has demanded a call for action by the European Union's private and public sectors to address the critical skills shortage.

The statement - issued by Microsoft, Baan, SAP, Wang, Cap Gemini, Exact Software, ICL, Sage and Lernout & Hauspie - came at the end of a summit in Brussels last week to discuss hi-tech employment and training in Europe.

The consortium asked the EU to examine the existing educational system, arguing that more training needs to be given to children, teachers and businesses to increase IT skills.

It also suggested that more incentives be given to women to encourage them back to the workplace, including creches and more flexible hours.