'Cause for hope, not complacency' on IT skills gap - TechUK

EMC and Skyscape join industry body to discuss how to encourage more workers into tech

There could be light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to the IT skills gap, but more needs to be done to connect the industry with educators, according to TechUK.

The trade body's head of policy Charlotte Holloway spoke at an EMC press event yesterday at which industry figures gathered to discuss employment in the channel and the wider technology industry.

The IT skills gap is a long-term issue for the channel, with the number of vacancies far exceeding that of skilled and experienced staff. Last month, recruiter Marc Sumner described the situation as "bonkers".

At EMC's event, TechUK's Holloway said that factors such as the new computing curriculum, which was introduced in 2014 and aims to get children as young as five coding, have brightened the prospects for the industry. But she cautioned that more needs to be done.

"From an industry-wide perspective, there is certainly cause for hope, but there's no cause for complacency," she said. "If we look at some of the primary and secondary school initiatives, yes, we've got the computing curriculum, but we have been really encouraging industry to turn up and get involved with code clubs and other areas."

She said there has been a noticeably "positive effect" of industry employers going into schools and colleges to talk up the prospects of working in the technology industry.

Skyscape's chief executive Simon Hansford agreed that those involved in educating youngsters should work more closely with employers like his firm but said this does not always happen.

"I don't know if our undergraduate and university programmes are supporting industry as much as they should do," he said.

"We had 10 undergraduates this year and I think we had one lecturer come to visit their students, and I find that appalling."

"Not only in terms of care for the student, but what a great opportunity for lecturers to come into business and understand and hear what we need and what we're looking for and how the course might be attuned to industry needs. I can't see anything that is going to change. It is back to us as employers - it is up to us to invest and do the right thing here."

Hansford said there are currently more than 50 open vacancies at Skyscape, but he insisted he would rather leave the roles empty than hire the wrong staff simply for the sake of it.

"I think having the right hurdle is really important and I would rather have empty vacancies than the wrong people in the business," he said. "I think it destroys the culture. At times when people have left the business [and attend an] exit interview, one of the things [they say] is that their colleagues are the best and cleverest they have worked with, and I think that is very important. It motivates people.

"Today, we are for the first time getting contractors in our business. I have been pretty anti-contractors because of culture, but you've got to have bodies. I don't want the wrong permanent staff, so let's get contractors in there until we find the right people."

EMC's UK managing director Ross Fraser agreed and said even looking outside the technology industry is a good place to recruit.

"You've got to get the best talent possible and be willing to wait, rather than bring in the wrong talent," he said.

"I've brought in people from outside the industry who have no knowledge of technology, for instance, because they have the right DNA."

"They have the right attitude and have shown the right enthusiasm and willingness to learn. That for me is more important than actually having someone who has a tick in the box in terms of technology. For me, it is about making sure you have the right person, but don't limit yourself."

On top of the issue of the lack of staff wanting to enter the industry, EMC's research found that 71 per cent of IT staff it surveyed are looking for new jobs. Issues such as perceived lack of career progression, the firm's unwillingness to move with the times, and low pay were some of the reasons cited for staff wanting to switch jobs.