IT education and training

The evolution of RPA

In this week’s Computer Weekly, our latest buyer’s guide looks at the future of robotic process automation (RPA). Google’s legal victory against Oracle over the use of Java APIs has huge significance for software developers. And we find out how expectations of IT have grown as firms prepare for the post-Covid workplace. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

CDO summer school plots step change for data leaders

The summer school for chief data officers, run by Caroline Carruthers and Peter Jackson, promises data leaders a curriculum to match the elevated salience of the CDO role Continue Reading

By

• Brian McKenna, Enterprise Applications Editor

Starting a career in the digital economy

What is it currently like for young people trying to hit the ground running with digital careers? What do employers want from them, and how has the last year of lockdowns affected their chances at a digital career? Continue Reading

By

• Cath Everett

Cyber Security Council to champion UK security pros

A new cyber security professional body has launched with the aim of developing and promoting UK cyber security excellence globally and growing the skills base Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Strong company culture the basis of a successful hybrid work environment

Study highlights how post-Covid working dynamics increase importance of communicative leadership with an inclusive organisational culture most important once logistics and technology are addressed Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

The ticking timebomb of IR35

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we reveal that IT contractors are seeking a multimillion-pound payout after confusion over the forthcoming IR35 tax reforms. Many firms are building data lakes to improve their analytics – we examine the storage implications. And we talk to the CIO at the London School of Economics. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Ecolabels and data sanitisation key to recycling and reusing IT assets

Ecolabels on hardware and data sanitisation of devices are key to recycling and reusing old IT equipment respectively, helping enterprises avoid unnecessary asset destruction and contributing to increasingly high levels of electronic waste globally Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences combines AI and practice

University ensures cooperation between scientists and industry when developing artificial intelligence Continue Reading

By

• Kim Loohuis

UK faces significant cyber talent shortfall

Cyber security sector is struggling to attract the talented workforce it needs Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Young people don’t feel they have advanced digital skills for work

Young people know how important digital skills are, but don’t think they have the necessary level of skill for the workplace, according to the Learning and Work Institute Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

CIO interview: Juliette Atkinson, IT director, Bradford University

Bradford University’s IT director took a different route than most to get into IT leadership Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Children’s learning held back by digital schooling, NAO report finds

Children’s socio-economic status has affected their experiences with digital learning, and most teachers consider their pupils to be, on average, three months behind where they would be expected to be Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Insurers unable to fill a quarter of tech roles

Insurance companies need to fill tech skills gaps if they are going to prosper in the age of insurtech Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Banks still lack tech skills at the top

Banks have made progress in adding IT knowledge in their boardrooms, but they need more as digital transformation accelerates Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

IR35 private sector reforms: IT contractors ‘growing reluctant’ to work for ‘blanket banning’ firms

IT-focused staffing company Ellis Recruitment Group shares its take on how the contracting market is responding to the private sector firms enforcing blanket bans Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Scotland launches digital strategy

Updated strategy aims to equip Scotland for technological transformation post-coronavirus and focuses on building an ethical digital nation Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Australia’s job market to shrink 11% with automation

Those who perform highly structured administrative jobs in finance, accounting and procurement are most at risk as automation continues to reshape Australia’s workforce Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Significant jump in number of hackers reporting vulnerabilities to companies

Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of hackers reporting security vulnerabilities and bugs to enterprises has increased by nearly two-thirds Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Why it’s fantastic to be a woman in the technology sector (and what’s stopping more from joining)

The enforced move by many employers to flexible home working during the pandemic is challenging the culture of long hours in the office – and opening up new opportunities for women in tech Continue Reading

By

• Bev White, Nash Squared

Nordic innovators change emphasis on gender equality in society

Female technology innovators in the Nordics take a different approach to trying to improve opportunities for women Continue Reading

By

• Matthew Staff

Sarah Wilkinson, most influential person in UK tech 2021 – winner’s speech

In this video from Computer Weekly’s annual UKtech50 event, in partnership with Spinks, Sarah Wilkinson, CEO of NHS Digital, gives her acceptance speech as the 2021 most influential person in UK tech Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

CW APAC: Tech career guide

In this handbook, Computer Weekly looks at the qualities and skills required to be successful in DevOps. Continue Reading

How to become a DevOps engineer

 Continue Reading

More than 20% of tech employees hesitant to speak about diversity

Despite a large majority of people agreeing that diversity and inclusion initiatives are important, some people are still hesitant to speak about it as a topic, according to TTC research Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

What it means to be born digital

We speak to Robert Wigley about his new book, Born Digital, which looks at the societal impact of Generation Z Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

DCMS gives tablet devices to people with learning disabilities

The government is providing thousands of free tablet devices to those with learning disabilities to help them stay connected Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Huawei opens developer lab in Singapore

Huawei’s Digix lab will provide software development resources to those who are building mobile apps for Huawei’s mobile platform Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Why we need to create a single portal for apprenticeships

GUEST BLOG: In this contributed post, Cloud9 Insight CEO Carlene Jackson explains why she recently told an All-Party Parliamentary Group the UK needs to create a ‘one-stop-shop’ for apprenticeships ... Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

We can futureproof our economy by closing our growing digital divide

GUEST BLOG: In this contributed blog post, Andrew Proctor, pro vice chancellor for digital at Staffordshire University, discusses how closing the digital divide in the UK could contribute towards ... Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Nearly 80,000 more tech roles filled at end of 2020 compared with end of 2019, says ONS

Thousands of jobs were created in the UK’s tech sector in 2020, according to ONS figures, with data from elsewhere also showing that the sector is poised for recovery Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

UKtech50 2021 – The most influential people in UK IT

Computer Weekly's annual search for the 50 most influential people in the UK tech scene is complete – meet the top 20 of 2021 Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Facebook’s AI doctoral research programme makes inroads into UK

Facebook collaborates with University College London to bring artificial intelligence doctoral research programme to the UK, with aim to open-sourcing the findings Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

UK government set to offer fintech visa

The importance of immigrant workers to the UK's fintech sector highlighted by government planned fintech visa Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Almost half of firms looking to recruit tech workers

Many professionals claim their firms are actively seeking workers for tech-based roles, finds CWJobs and techUK Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

NCSC recognises UK’s top cyber schools

National Cyber Security Centre CyberFirst Schools initiative has handed out 14 gold, silver and bronze awards recognising excellence in cyber security teaching Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Future security stars shine in first round of CyberFirst Girls contest

There were more than 6,500 participants in the opening heats of the National Cyber Security Centre’s CyberFirst Girls competition this year Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Nationwide Building Society kicks off search for tech apprentices

Nationwide is working with local organisations to boost tech skills Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

TCS to recruit 1,500 UK tech professionals this year

Indian IT service provider Tata Consultancy Services commits to recruiting UK IT professionals Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Russia’s Sber launches international AI contest for children

Children from across the world invited to take part in artificial intelligence competition launched by Russian bank-turned-tech business Continue Reading

By

• Vladimir Kozlov

UK Cyber Security Council to take charge of skills strategy

New government-backed body will be set up to boost careers opportunities and professional standards in the cyber security sector Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Woolworths to invest more than A$50m in skills training

More than 60,000 Woolworths employees across store and e-commerce operations, supply chain network and support offices are expected to benefit from the new investment Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Almost 70% of IT staff say firms working on tech gender diversity

Many IT workers say their companies are working to address gender diversity in their IT departments, according to Computer Weekly’s salary survey Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Mayor of London launches digital inclusion initiative

Taskforce focused on increasing digital inclusion in London will promote digital skills and increase access to devices and connectivity Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Covid-19 saw 32% of UK&I firms furlough IT staff in 2020

The coronavirus outbreak led to pay freezes, reduced hours and furlough for many IT workers, according to Computer Weekly’s annual salary survey Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Let’s build on the innovation shown by UK tech during pandemic

The UK’s technology sector has innovated and shown leadership through the Covid-19 crisis, particularly with developments in AI. It is now time to maintain and build on that progress, so the UK remains a global force in tech innovation Continue Reading

By

• Bev White, Nash Squared

CISOs invisible to their organisations, says BT report

Ignorance of cyber issues is leading to misplaced confidence in security in many organisations, as CISOs struggle to make themselves seen and heard Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

The case for applying psychology in cybersecurity training

Chartered psychologist Rebecca McKeown describes how psychology in cybersecurity can improve incident response and makes the case for a research-based approach to training. Continue Reading

By

• Katie Donegan, Social Media Manager

How to learn networking fundamentals, from a software pro

Networking basics include protocols, network layers and processes that must happen for computers to communicate across a network. Here's how to start learning these basics. Continue Reading

By

• Michaela Goss, Senior Site Editor

Rethinking IT recruitment

IT job applications tend to look for skills in particular technologies, but for some tech roles, life skills and worldly experience are equally important Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Apprenticeships may be a solution to cyber skills shortage, say insiders

Cyber security professionals are open to new approaches to finding sorely needed talent, according to a poll Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

APAC career guide: How to become a DevOps engineer

A DevOps career can be highly rewarding, as long as you are open to learning new things and collaborating with team mates to solve problems in software development Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Easily accessible digital skills training among government’s updated education plan

The government has released a whitepaper detailing plans for skills reforms to encourage lifelong learning, including making digital skills more easily accessible for adults Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Many teachers find online lessons difficult

Lots of teachers found it difficult to deliver lessons online during the first lockdown, with many students without access to tech, says Ecclesiastical Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Tech salary growth in APAC a mixed bag

The growing demand for IT pros to support digital transformation projects has not translated to higher salaries across the board, survey finds Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Gamarue malware found on government-issued school laptops

Devices handed out by the government to support vulnerable children contain malware that appears to be contacting C2 infrastructure in Russia Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Two-thirds of CISOs say they’ll be cyber attack victims this year

Security professionals are ever alert to the threats they face, but some still seem to think it is unlikely they will be attacked Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Digital knowledge must be integral part of Dutch police training

Research reveals gaps in digital knowledge among Netherlands police, with calls for a training ‘roadmap’ to get officers up to speed to tackle cyber crime Continue Reading

By

• Kim Loohuis

Could ambiguous rules spur IT personnel offshoring bonanza?

Could the combination of Brexit and ambiguous rules on recruitment enable businesses to hire IT staff from overseas to carry out work remotely? Continue Reading

By

• Yash Dubal

BT to make data for Oak National Academy charge-free

Telecoms giant announces that data charges for government-backed academy will be removed Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

The UK’s struggle with digital schooling

The UK government’s sudden decision to close schools left many either unprepared or unable to provide children with online schooling, so what does home learning currently look like for children across the UK? Continue Reading

The UK’s struggle with digital schooling

In this week’s Computer Weekly, the UK government’s sudden decision to close schools left many unable to provide children with online schooling - we examine the home learning challenges. Cyber security experts give us their forecasts for 2021. And we find out how technology supports the work of the Guide Dogs charity. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Parler v AWS, digital schooling, ambulance data – Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast

In this episode of the Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast, Caroline Donnelly, Clare McDonald and Brian McKenna discuss the purgation of Parler, the traumas of digital schooling and the South Central Ambulance Service’s use of data to support their operations during the Covid-19 pandemic Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor
• Brian McKenna, Enterprise Applications Editor
• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

AI specialists and software engineers among most popular UK roles, says LinkedIn

Demand for specialist software engineers and people with skills in AI have risen, according to professional network LinkedIn Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Biased language deters half of female candidates, finds Openreach

When looking into the language of its job adverts, telecoms firm Openreach found that half of female candidates were put off if the language of a job posting was too unconsciously male Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

NCSC CyberFirst Girls 2021 contest kicks off

UK’s national cyber agency says it has already had hundreds of entrants in spite of the challenges presented by the pandemic Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Unforeseen consequences of new technologies put UK at risk

Lords committee told that the risks associated with various emerging digital technologies must be assessed together, with input from UK citizens, if the government is to avoid ‘siloisation’ of fundamentally interconnected problems Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

The UK’s struggle with digital schooling

The UK government’s sudden decision to close schools left many either unprepared or unable to provide children with online schooling, so what does home learning currently look like for children across the UK? Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Jobs in fintech bounce back after brief lockdown lull

Fintechs and payments companies need to make staff recruitment a priority as talent pool shrinks Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

DBS opens tech academy in skills training drive

The DBS Future Tech Academy will focus on training the bank’s technologists in three disciplines for a start – site reliability engineering, data processing and analytics, and application security Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Labour urges government to adopt new plan for at-home education

Labour MPs have written to government officials urging them to provide schools and children with the digital provisions necessary to ensure every child can properly work from home during lockdown Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Diversity and inclusion in tech: The pandemic and the pay gap

In this video from Computer Weekly’s annual diversity and inclusion in tech event, in partnership with Spinks, Suki Fuller, founder of Miribure and co-lead of TLA Women in Tech, discusses the gender pay gap in the context of a pandemic world, alongside a panel of experts Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Another lockdown and scrapped exams help drive the post-COVID-19 Open Schools (R)evolution

COVID has exposed our failure to bring education into the 21st century. The Open School concept is an ideal way of facilitating best practice (both online and face to face) in blended learning. It  ... Continue Reading

By

• Philip Virgo, Winsafe Ltd

How the pandemic has affected women in the tech sector

The coronavirus outbreak has created uncertainty across all sectors, but how specifically has it affected women working in the tech industry? Continue Reading

By

• Cath Everett

Top 10 women in tech and diversity in tech stories of 2020

As the year draws to a close, Computer Weekly looks over some of the notable stories relating to women in tech, diversity and inclusion throughout 2020 Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Top 10 IT careers and skills stories of 2020

Computer Weekly shares the key moments for IT careers and skills in 2020 Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Number of students taking computer science degrees up 7.6% in 2020

The number of students choosing to study computer science at degree level rose year-on-year in 2020, according to BCS Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Learning on the job when working from home

Learning a new job and inducting hires when working from home has been tricky for employees and employers alike. We look at what workarounds have been adopted that could become the post-pandemic normal Continue Reading

By

• SA Mathieson

CW Europe: Tour de France fans get a virtual experience

The organisers of this year's Tour de France worked with technology services company NTT in partnership with Amaury Sport Organisation to provide what they described as an “enhanced experience” for race fans who could not be at the roadside because of Covid restrictions. Also read why Deutsche Bank has agreed to sell its retail banking IT operation to one of its main IT suppliers for a token €1. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

CIO interview: David Plumb, chief innovation officer, University of Warwick

The innovation leader is developing ecosystems of partners from industry, public sector and academia to not only help Warwick students, but also to support them as entrepreneurs and benefit the regional economy Continue Reading

By

• Mark Samuels

Stockport Council launches digital training initiative

Local authority Stockport Council has launched a programme aimed at training young people in digital skills to give them a better chance at entering digital roles Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

GSMA launches digital access guidelines to help disabled people

Industry organisation GSMA has launched a framework of guidelines aimed at making mobile technology more accessible for people with disabilities Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Singapore government to boost blockchain adoption

Singapore government unveils S$12m programme to promote development and adoption of blockchain applications beyond financial services Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Makers partners with Coding Black Females

Coding bootcamp has linked up with Coding Black Females to train more black talent in software skills Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

The channel in the pandemic, datacentres for investors – Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast

In this episode of the Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast, Simon Quicke joins Caroline Donnelly, Clare McDonald and Brian McKenna to discuss how the IT channel has fared in the pandemic, how datacentres have evolved as investment assets, STEM education for children, and data strategy at Guide Dogs Continue Reading

By

• Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor
• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK
• Brian McKenna, Enterprise Applications Editor

Diversity and inclusion in tech: What is neurodiversity?

In this video from Computer Weekly’s annual diversity and inclusion in tech event, in partnership with Spinks, Rachel Morgan-Trimmer, neurodiversity coach and consultant, talks about neurodiversity. Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

People not offered help to improve digital skills, BCS finds

A large number of people feel they have not been provided with enough help to increase their digital skills during lockdown Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

More than 1,300 teachers trained by National Centre for Computing Education

Government-funded centre aimed at supporting computing teachers has reached more than 29,000 teachers and trained over 1,300 to deliver computing curriculum Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Interest in UK digital talent visa surges despite pandemic

Tech Nation, the endorsing body for the digital technology route of the UK’s Global Talent Visa, has seen a 48% increase in applications over the past year Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Robots taking jobs, but creating careers

Robotic process automation developers tell Computer Weekly about the job they never expected to be doing Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Scottish government hands out laptops and tablets to the digitally excluded

As part of its Connecting Scotland programme, the Scottish government is giving out 23,000 iPads and Chromebooks to low-income families and care leavers, along with two years of mobile data Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

A look inside the official Cisco DEVASC 200-901 guidebook

In this book excerpt, readers can explore the Cisco DEVASC 200-901 official guide and get a flavor of one of Cisco's newest exams and its blend of networking and software topics. Continue Reading

By

• Michaela Goss, Senior Site Editor
• Pearson Education

Is Cisco DevNet worth it? Experts say yes, it's the future

Any IT professional who's heard the hype for Cisco's newest certification track may wonder, 'Is Cisco DevNet worth it?' Some experts say it's the future. Find out more in this Q&A. Continue Reading

By

• Michaela Goss, Senior Site Editor

7 practice questions for Cisco 200-901 DevNet Associate exam

Ready for Cisco's introductory DevNet exam, DEVASC 200-901? Start your Cisco DevNet Associate training with this practice quiz directly from the official exam guidebook. Continue Reading

By

• Michaela Goss, Senior Site Editor
• Pearson Education

Dutch IT award recognises importance of research in the wild

Promoter of human-centric scientific research techniques claims the prestigious 2020 Netherlands Prize for ICT Research Continue Reading

By

• Kim Loohuis

Diversity and inclusion in tech: How to be an effective ally

In this video from Computer Weekly’s annual diversity and inclusion in tech event, in partnership with Spinks, a panel discusses how to be an effective ally and support others at work. Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Winners of female-only data hackathon announced

Several firms banded together to run a virtual female-only hackathon to encourage data analysts to use Covid-19 data to solve pandemic-related problems Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Security pros coped admirably with remote working transition

Despite facing tight timescales at the onset of the pandemic, security professionals have come through the transition to remote working remarkably well, according to a report Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Bright Little Labs launches Agent Asha series

Children’s media company creates new series of children’s books and resources aimed at teaching children to code Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Lockdown 2: Balancing job retention with automation

As the UK enters its second coronavirus lockdown, experts have questioned the funds that governments across Europe have put aside to support businesses Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Pandemic prompts interest in career shifts into tech

Many people considering a career change have chosen to shift their focus to the technology industry since the beginning of the pandemic, according to CWJobs Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor