'World following UK's example in classroom' - Microsoft boss

Cybertraining was the talking point for many business leaders at global events this week

The UK's implementation of technology in schools is a blueprint being followed around the world, according to Microsoft's education VP.

Speaking at Bett, the annual three-day edtech event at London's ExCel centre, Anthony Salcito praised the UK for redesigning its syllabus to put technology at the heart of the classroom.

In 2014, the national curriculum was overhauled when information and communications technology (ICT) was replaced with computing, which made coding a core component of teaching.

"The UK has got out in front with the curriculum redesign and is leading the way. I know many countries and governments are following their example," he told the audience.

"We have to unleash technology for kids, and the UK did this best.

"They re-pivoted the curriculum to say that computing is not something you do, it's something you do things with. So kids start thinking about religion, maths and history through technology.

"When I visit great schools in the UK, they're not defined by how nice the devices are, it's about the way their thinking about technology has changed, and is flowing through the school."

Meanwhile, at the World Economic Forum the lack of IT training at a higher level of education was being discussed.

C Vijayakumar, CEO of HCL Technologies, echoed Salcito's sentiments on a panel discussion that included Michael Dell and Keith Block, co-CEO of Salesforce.

The HCL head stated that under-skilled graduates entering the tech industry put an extra burden on their company to train them up.

"The people coming into the workforce are really not well trained on some of the new skills that are required," he told the audience.

"Academics need to focus more on making graduates highly employable and well trained.

"It's better to focus on training them in the right matter so that they are highly effective when they enter the workforce."

Michael Dell added that the skills shortage is a pressing concern for him and advised companies that they must also must do their part in ensuring a sufficiently skilled workforce.

"The thing we are most worried and concerned about is the skills shortage," he said.

"At the rate and pace that the world is digitally transforming, that is a topic where everyone has to be included, because we can't overlook anyone when we deal with the question of creating all the skills required for the future.

"From our perspective we see a shortage of talent and skills and the answer to that is not to take them from other companies, because that math doesn't add up.

"You have to hire, train and grow them from within the company and you have to retrain and reskill the existing workforce."