IT professionals need a different career model based on
more structured training and career development, in response to the
threats and opportunities posed by offshore outsourcing, a report
has urged.
The call, made in a report by the British Computer Society
published earlier this week, has been welcomed by employer and IT
user groups.
The society said the growth of offshore outsourcing should be
viewed as a challenge and an opportunity rather than solely a
threat to the UK's IT profession.
Fewer than 4% of the UK's current IT workforce are unemployed but
Evalueserve, a market research firm, has estimated that 102,000 IT
and software jobs will move offshore by 2010, which is equivalent
to 12% of the current IT workforce.
"Today IT professionals face the possibility that many of their
jobs will be transferred overseas," said the BCS report. "We
propose a new career model for a new era in which IT professionals
would evolve beyond a purely technical environment. The ultimate
aim is to create an environment in which longevity is valued and IT
know-how is transferred to the business arena."
According to the BCS, opportunities for UK IT professionals include
working overseas; working more closely with the business, rather
than purely in a technical role; and developing commercial skills
to manage offshore suppliers.
To reap the rewards of a global marketplace for IT services, UK
employers need to provide training that equips IT staff with
business skills to complement their technical skills. IT staff
should be encouraged to gain accreditation in international
standards, such as the Capability Maturity Model for software
development and service delivery, the BCS said.
Terry Watts, chief operating officer of E-Skills UK, the
public-private training partnership charged with improving IT
skills, welcomed the BCS' recommendations.
"The report is absolutely right about outsourcing and offshore
outsourcing beginning to come of age," he said. "The huge challenge
facing us is that IT development jobs are being outsourced [in and
outside the UK] and we face a challenge in developing higher
skills. This will require a more methodical approach to
training."
The IT industry has so far failed to agree a standard set of
professional qualifications, similar to those used in the
accountancy and legal professions.
However, E-Skills UK is working on defining key skills - including
in project management, business analysis or technical architectures
- and building a set of appropriate qualifications that can be
recognised nationwide.
Offshoring: A challenge or opportunity for British IT
professionals is published by the BCS
www.bcs.org/BCS/News/PositionsAndResponses
UK IT: strengths and weaknesses
Strengths
- Software innovation and pioneering hardware
developments
- Skills in the latest technologies
- Experience in managing large, complex programmes
- Good problem-solving and analytical skills
Weaknesses
- British IT professionals are expensive compared to offshore
workers
- Many UK ITprofessionals lack formal accreditation and
training
- Employers do not place a high value on experience in IT and
older workers face limited employment opportunities
- Britain has a low regard for technical skills
- General lack of commercial approach within IT
departments.
Source: BCS report