Most UK businesses are under utilising employees'
end-user computer skills, according to a survey of 1,000 school
leavers and graduates byLoudhouse Research.
The survey was commissioned by database software supplier
Filemaker to examine whether
computer skills taught in UK schools and universities matched
the demands of the workplace.
However, the research showed that although most school leavers
(82%) and graduates (84%) felt confident about their computer
skills, only 51% were using those skills in their work.
The survey showed 85% knew how to use presentation software, but
only 39% reported using it at work, 88% had learned to use
spreadsheet software, but only 65% said they used it as part of
their job, and 51% used technology creatively at work.
"Many businesses, particularly SMEs, are not aware of the level
of skill employees have, but failure to make the most of the skills
they have employed could put them at a competitive disadvantage to
organisations that use technology skills effectively," said Tony
Speakman, regional manager for Filemaker in northern Europe.
The survey also found that UK business is training staff on the
job instead of providing formal training. Forty nine per cent of
respondents said training in using database software was
unstructured, with only 12% receiving formal training.
"It is short sighted for businesses to overlook the benefits of
proper training because if applications are more thoroughly
understood, productivity levels go up," said Speakman.
Businesses should invest in structured training, understand how
technology can power the business, and tailor job responsibilities
according to the computer skills of new recruits to get the most
out of technology and employees' ability to use it, he said.
"Today's new recruits possess IT skills that previous generation
did not have and job specs need to be re-aligned to use these
skills and incorporate them into job functions," said Speakman.