IT skills crisis will damage UK economy, says Shadbolt

The IT skills crisis will damage the UK economy, said new British Computer Society president Nigel Shadbolt.

In an interview with the BBC, Shadbolt said, “If we're not careful, the UK is going to lose its pre-eminent position as a knowledge-based economy.”

Data released by Shadbolt shows that in the past four years, the number of students studying IT and computing has fallen by a third, while employers' demand for IT skills has doubled.

This shortfall of students could result in IT jobs being lost to countries such as China and India, which Shadbolt believes are better equipping younger generations with good technology skills.

As a result, many other UK industries that rely on competent IT specialists would suffer. Steps must therefore be taken now to ensure a skilled supply of graduates in the future, Shadbolt said.

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