Businesses are failing to make use of the IT skills of
the those recuits known as the"Facebook Generation"who have left
education in the past three years, according to a report
commissioned by database firm FileMaker.
IT confidence of new recruits is at an all-time high, found the
research, which surveyed 1,000 recent school leavers or graduates
who are in the early stages of employment.
The report found that 82% of 16- to 18-year-olds surveyed felt
confident about their level of general IT skills going into the
workplace, which was a higher percentage than those who felt
confident about their interpersonal skills (64%).
Survey respondents said 62% of their time is spent using a
computer at work, 51% actively use technology to be creative in
their jobs, and 51% thought about creative ways to use technology
at work.
But school leavers in the early stages of employment said they
are not given the opportunity to use the software packages they
learnt during education.
For example, 85% of those surveyed learnt to use PowerPoint
software but only 39% reported using it at work. A massive 88%
learnt to use spreadsheet software, but only 65% use it as part of
their job.
Tony Speakman, regional manager for FileMaker, northern Europe,
said, "This generation has grown up IT savvy, and educators have
done a good job ensuring that they have the skills to take into the
workplace. These new recruits are then shocked to find that once
they actually gain employment they do not have the opportunity to
use all of the skills that they have mastered.
"Businesses need to wise up and tap into the knowledge and
enthusiasm this generation has to offer. If they do not fully
understand how to utilise the capabilities of this skilled
workforce they will suffer in the long run."