More than half of the 201 senior IT managers who took part in a
survey commissioned by the British Computer Society are positive
about the economic prospects for the IT Industry in the coming
year.
About two-thirds see the UK economy emerging from the recession
by the end of 2010, according to Opinion Leader Research which
carried out the survey for the
BCS.
The researchers also found that senior IT managers believe that
improving the IT skills and qualifications of the UK workforce
should be more of a priority for boosting economic recovery than
better IT infrastructure.
The findings were announced today during a during a BCS panel
debate attended by Stephen Timms, Minster for Digital Britain and
hosted by TV and radio presenter John Humphrys in central London to
discuss, whether IT can lead the UK out of recession.
The panel members included Fin Goulding, CIO of Lastminute.com,
David Clarke, Chief Executive of the BCS, Lesley Hume, Director of
the Government IT Profession, Rebecca George, Partner, Deloitte,
and David Smith, Chief Executive, Global Future and Foresight.
Asked which area of the public sector they'd prioritise for IT
investment, most respondents said education (81%) then health
(60%), crime and justice (20%) and defence (16%).
David Smith of Global Futures and Foresight, said: 'New
communications technologies, including the use of AI-driven
avatars, holograms and virtual worlds, will increasingly challenge
the ageing UK workforce."
The key findings:
54% are positive about the economic prospects for the IT
Industry in the coming year
64% see the UK economy emerging from the recession by the end of
2010
66% think faster national broadband roll out is the most
important factor to achieve a better IT infrastructure.