IT professionals will need a more sophisticated,
business-focused skillset to meet changing demands, with
integration, mobile IT and security expertise at a premium, says
Karen Price
An E-Skills UK survey of more than 1,000 employers found that
nearly three-quarters of IT jobs advertised were new roles.
Two-thirds of these vacancies were the result of business
expansion.
These figures suggest a vibrant job market for IT professionals.
Yet the same survey also found that at least one-tenth of these
companies were having difficulties recruiting IT staff with the
required skills and experience.
E-Skills UK and Gartner have undertaken a review of the UK's IT
skills landscape to evaluate what skills and experience employers
are looking for. This work reveals the trends likely to affect the
IT workforce over the next five years and beyond, and the
implications for skills.
The key trends identified include the increasing globalisation
of business – with outsourcing and geosourcing having a growing
impact on the profile of the IT profession in the UK; increasing
technology standardisation; the implementation of new channel
strategies; remote and collaborative working; and an increasing
focus on privacy and security.
In addition, the research highlights how technology is becoming
fully integrated into business operations. IT professionals need to
be able to understand and communicate the business benefits of IT,
to develop IT strategy within the context of business needs, and to
support the company through IT-enabled change.
All this demands a broad and sophisticated skillset covering
both technical and business skills. The boundaries between an IT
manager and a business manager are becoming less distinct. IT
professionals can find themselves embedded within business units,
and business managers can find themselves managing IT departments.
This has far-reaching implications for the structure of IT
departments within companies and the career paths open to
individual IT professionals.
In terms of the technical skills required, the increasing
standardisation of technology means that most companies are
building complex technology systems using existing software
components and pre-packed solutions. For IT professionals, this
means acquiring and continuously updating their knowledge of
leading software packages, combined with higher-level skills in the
understanding, design and implementation of system integration and
IT architecture.
The introduction of wireless and web-based technologies to
support mobile working and new channels to market is driving demand
for sophisticated security systems to protect information and the
corporate IT infrastructure. The ability to design and implement
innovative security systems will be increasingly in demand. A sound
understanding of how to integrate the latest communications
technologies into business operations will also become
essential.
The trend towards geosourcing and outsourcing means that many
technical roles are being located externally or overseas. The UK
has a great opportunity to establish its place in the global IT
market by developing unique, value-added skills and services in
such areas as product development, business process outsourcing,
global project management and consultancy.
And as IT becomes more of an outsourced, utility-style service,
the introduction of highly automated infrastructures will reduce
the need for manual procedures and direct involvement of the
in-house IT workforce. IT professionals will need to move their
skills further up the value chain, strengthening their business and
IT skills with specialised knowledge of their organisation’s
business models and processes.
The role of the IT professional is changing. Whether working
within the IT industry or in an IT role in another sector, IT
professionals need to complement advanced technical knowledge with
the business, communication and team-working skills that enable
them to operate effectively at the heart of the business.
About 80% of IT professionals employed in 2005 will still be
part of the workforce in 2012. It is vital that the IT workforce is
encouraged and able to develop and enhance their skills throughout
their career. At the same time, employers need to work together
with education and government to ensure that young people acquire
the IT-related skills and knowledge that meet future business needs
and helps them to achieve their career aspirations.
Karen Price is chief executive of sector skills council
E-Skills UK
What IT skills will be in demand in future?
Claire Hamon, director of business information systems, Crown
Prosecution Service, says, “IT professionals of the future must
focus their time and energies on value-adding responsibilities,
developing skills in softer issues such as business change
management, people management and effective communication.
"IT leaders are viewed increasingly as business executives
responsible for playing a major part in shaping and driving company
goals.”
Ian Smith, senior vice-president, Oracle UK, says, “The global
economy and technology have changed our understanding of career
paths. Specialist skills can be sourced from around the world, so
our workforce cannot simply rely on technical knowledge to remain
attractive to employers.
"IT professionals need to demonstrate they can manage and
inspire global virtual teams, because it is key to competitive
advantage. This requires excellent communication skills, a strong
business sense and leadership skill.
"The priority now is not just who has the best technical skills,
but who understands my business and can apply technology expertise
to benefit my customers and company.”