Working in a datacentre may not sound like the most glamorous corner of IT, but for staff who like to work in a close-knit team using the latest technologies and who can handle occasional periods of high stress and out-of-hours working, it is ideal. It is also a great place to develop specialist skills while getting a grounding across the full spread of IT operations.
Fewer girls than boys consider a career in technology because they do not see positive female role models in the industry, according to research in schools.
IT job cuts are inevitable as the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) integrates its wholesale banking division and the UK operations of ABN Amro which it acquired last year, say industry analysts.
The IT industry's approach to training is "exemplary" and better than most other sectors, said Lord Leitch, whose influential review on skills underpins the government's policy on training.
Smaller UK software and IT services companies are best placed to survive the global financial squeeze, with more than half forecasting double-digit growth in 2008.