Why aren't graduates logging on to IT?
The British Computer Society has highlighted an alarming downturn in computer science graduate projections which could endanger the long-term success of the country’s expanding IT economy. Here IT recruitment expert Helen Nutton, from Micross Recruitment, considers the implications and solutions.
There are currently widespread fears in the industry that the UK could face a crippling skills shortage in the next five years due to a lack of suitable computer science graduates coming through the ranks.
The British Computer Society released figures last year stating that the number of graduates studying computing has dropped radically, and will continue to do so into 2009. The Society’s CEO David Banks stated that he believes the industry will experience a 25% shortfall by as early as next year. A worrying statistic that will only increase with time if it is not addressed.
With demand for skilled IT people at an all time high this problem could seriously impact on the UK’s future competitiveness in the global marketplace but neither universities or businesses are effectively communicating their requirements to resolve this issue.
So where does the problem stem from? The gap appears to initially come from a shortage of students taking subjects such as mathematics and physics, which are necessary to work to a high level in an area such as software development.
But then there are also issues with the industry’s geeky image and concerns from students about the ‘offshoring’ of IT jobs to countries in the developing world creating the perception that job opportunities are hard to come by. These concerns, however, are misguided and in fact the IT industry is growing much faster than other sectors needing at least 150,000 new entrants a year.
While jobs for lower-paid professionals such as help-desk and operations staff are migrating, the demand for higher-level jobs such as software engineering and project management, is on the rise in the UK and there needs to be candidates with the right skills for these posts.
It should also be pointed out that many IT directors would rather hire computer science graduates and spend money on training them than buying in experienced contractors.
It is important that investment is made into ensuring the university courses are fit for purpose and that graduates choose the right course. A survey by FDM group revealed that 47% of IT graduates felt that their degree course had not provided them with the latest IT skills.
However it appears that it’s not just technical skills which aren’t making the grade. A survey run by the The Association of Graduate Recruiters highlights that employers believe graduates also lack basic soft skills, such as team working and communication. The survey also reveals that most employers perceive graduates to lack the kind of skills which should set them apart such as initiative, problem solving, decision-making and relationship building. Without the foundation of technical knowledge, or the generic commercial skills, you then start to question how valuable an academic route into IT actually is.
There's still quite a bit of a lag between the demands of the industry and what higher education provides.
The solution could be to make more of the chance to combine the academic and the commercial learning opportunities available. For example, taking an academic qualification on a part time basis while working in a business environment, or prioritising one of the courses many universities offer which includes a year in industry.
Achieving a first class degree in web development is very different from working in the business world, where there are timescales to meet, budgets to work with and customers and colleagues with needs to be catered for.
So in addition to improving the ‘geeky’ image of IT, investing in student recruitment highlighting the benefits of working in IT, it is imperative that businesses and universities work together to ensure that we produce high-calibre graduates who understand the commercial application of IT.
|
