UK work permits issued to foreign IT staff rose 14% in 2007 on the previous year with Indian applications making up approximately 83% of all approved permits, according to the Home Office.
The UK engineering population is currently unprepared for large-scale, complex IT projects, Stuart Jobbins from Rolls Royce told attendees at a recent BCS Thought Leadership debate.
The last quarter of 2007 produced a frenzy of financial gloom in the media, following the crises at Northern Rock, Swiss bank UBS and the consequent decision by the Bank of England to cut interest rates. British business, however, displayed a far more robust response, to judge from the cwjobs.co.uk Survey of Appointments Data and Trends compiled by Salary Services Ltd (SSL).
The BCS and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will see the two organisations work more closely together in the future.
With the threat of an economic slowdown hanging over many parts of the private sector, the public sector looks like a recession-proof refuge for IT staff.
Yorkshire Water has won the top prize at Computer Weekly's Best Places to Work in IT Awards 2008. The company received its award during a ceremony at the Intercontinental on London's Park Lane on Friday 22 February, winning the Best of the Best award in the face of stiff competition.