A Levels: Computing beats all other subjects as youngsters change
their views of the profession
Bill Goodwin
A spectacular increase in the number of students opting to take
A levels in information technology this year has raised hopes that
the profession may be beginning to loose its geeky image.
Computing outstripped every other A level subject, as entries
rose by 11% to 19,000 - the largest increase for any subject this
year.
AS level entries grew by 25% and GNVQ entries by 8.4%.
The sudden jump in the popularity of the information technology
courses may be the first indication that youngsters are beginning
to change their views of the profession.
It also reflects a growing awareness that a shortage of
professionals with Internet and Web related skills, is creating
some lucrative opportunities.
Research conducted last year by the E-business National Training
Organisation showed that many school children were shunning careers
in IT because of its anorak-clad image.
"Schools have woken up to the publicity about IT skills
shortage. They are listening to the market. And it can only help,"
said Gordon Greaves, director of the E-skills National Training
Organisation.
The sudden increase in popularity of the Computing A level this
year follows four years of steady growth.
But despite a plethora of schemes, such as the Women into IT
initiative, which aims to encourage more women into the profession,
computing remains a male-dominated subject.
The number of male students taking the examination this year is
14,938 compared to only 4,161 female students, figures from the
Joint Council for General Qualifications revealed.