What is the Scope of the it Skills Crisis and Are we Tackling it in the Right Way?

Recent research suggests that British Business requires 150,000 new entrants into IT each year. Over the past few years the number of graduates in IT has halved to 20,000.

The figures speak for themselves. Even the most ardent sceptic cannot deny the skills deficit that we currently face. But why does this gap exist and are industry and Government adopting the right strategies to tackle it?

In my view; it’s all about career change – supporting individuals working in the UK’s declining industries to retrain for a role in IT. But while this sounds like a practical common-sense solution to a growing problem, it is receiving little support.

Efforts are being made to promote IT to under-represented groups, such as women, but it seems that little is being achieved in terms of promoting uptake of the subject in secondary and higher education. From a relatively early age it appears that able students are led towards the sciences and IT skills are not given the same kudos.

The generation currently in secondary education has grown up with technology so their lives are dramatically different from their predecessors; access to the internet, mobile phones, sophisticated gaming consoles have all impacted their aptitude to and perception of technology. So it seems strange to me that more students aren’t inspired to study for the jobs which shape and mould these inventions. It could be that they take the technology for granted, or it could be the age old image problem.

The other issue influencing the perception of the IT industry, and one which I believe is having an impact on the number of students opting for IT courses, is outsourcing.

At the present rate it is estimated that over 100,000 IT jobs will have been transferred overseas by 2010¹. Skills shortages in the UK are creating the economic imperative for companies to outsource to or recruit from overseas.

But while low-level helpdesk skills can be outsourced effectively and in volume, the challenge comes when trying to recruit for development and programming skills required by IT departments and service providers. India, for example, is able to fill the gap because it is investing in training its population, although whether this provides an immediate answer to the problem is questionable. And other countries such as China have some way to go before they can offer a solution for British industry. So why is the Government standing by and watching when we have large numbers of poorly skilled people keen to train but simply unable to afford to do so?

If the required number of people with the right IT skills aren’t materialising through the British education system, or being sourced abroad, then the missing link needed to stimulate career transition into IT must be training.

In my view, this is the most practical solution which matches workforce supply and demand, giving individuals new opportunities while solving an industry skills deficit. But a lack of appropriate funding is holding up the process. The people most in need of the training, most likely to complete it and most likely to give the greatest contribution to the workplace after completion, are excluded from most funding initiatives. The current system falls short as funding for Government training schemes is channelled through employers; so training for a new career whilst working is inaccessible for the thousands of people unable to fund themselves.

The Government’s development of Skills Accounts that would release funds directly to individuals provides a glimmer of hope. But there is no guarantee that the scheme will be adopted and it isn't planned to be rolled out for over two years. A more practical option would be to zero rate VAT for individuals funding their own training for a career change, but this has received little support.

To offer reassurance to industry, and a positive outlook to individuals, we must strive to provide choice and financial incentive to stimulate career change; this is the how we should tackle the skills crisis.

About the Author

Karl Parkinson, Chairman, Computeach - With over 40 years of experience in the IT Training Industry, Computeach provides innovative and truly blended learning solutions to a wide range of customers. For interviews, images or comments contact: Rosie Gallagher Marketing Communications Executive Computeach International Ltd Phone: 01384 245 308 Email: rosie.gallagher@computeach.co.uk

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Big Ideas for Small Business: Cross Training Your Staff

You already know it takes superpowers to run a business. You have to be a mind reader and a fortuneteller, and have the ability to be in 10 places at once. But even the greatest super hero needs back up. Cross-training your employees is the key. This article is designed to provide you with tips for cross training your staff so you relieve pressure by giving every employee the know-how to meet customer expectations that live up to your own. Specifics may vary from person to person; however, the following information includes helpful and important guidelines from which everyone can benefit.

The numbers are in, and the bean counters are smiling: Cross training does save money. Employees profit from learning new skills while keeping boredom at bay. They're more motivated, feel more valued and that means they're more likely to stay put. Your organization profits from productivity that reflects on your bottom line. Need any more motivation than that? Here are five signs it's time to call for back-up - and give yourself a break:

1. When the neighborhood kids set up a lemonade stand, you ask for a P&L Statement.
2. Your idea of exercise if right-clicking.
3. You fall asleep to the "pings" of incessant emails.
4. You tell your kids to go play in their cubes.
5. Your favorite fruit is blackberry.

Seriously, though, relieving some of the pressure your experience at work can do amazing things to your productivity levels. It seems strange that getting rid of work actually lets you do more work! But how do you know which projects to delegate and to whom you should delegate them?

Cross-training your staff sometimes seems like it requires cross-training shoes to keep up. Nothing tests your endurance more than having to set goals, schedule briefings, monitor progress, etc. Are your employees up to speed on the latest company projects, proposals and projections? Regularly scheduled meetings eliminate the guesswork and are an integral component to any cross-training initiative. They break down department barriers and build up teamwork. Keep meetings short, sweet and to the point (hey, some pizza wouldn't hurt either). Here are five quick tips that will help you schedule successful meetings with your employees:

1. Establish a place to meet and make sure everyone's informed
2. Prepare an outline
3. Create takeaways
4. Arrange to have any electronic equipment you may require
5. Use the right products to enhance presentations

Attending meetings is a way of life in almost every business, large and small! Making the most out of every meeting by planning ahead, sticking to a time limit and a schedule will help everyone stay on track!

Your cross-training efforts can also pay off big time with a united vision your customers will notice. Cross-training gives employees cross-functional expertise but - can they deliver your message persuasively? Presentation skills are fundamental and every dynamic one begins with the question: What's the purpose of this presentation? Is it to inform? Motivate? Sell the audience on an idea? From there, establish a structure with a logical flow for a presentation that's ready for prime time. One of the keys to making any presentation as dynamic as possible is proper planning. Here are five things to keep in mind as you teach your employees how to develop a great presentation:

1. Define your intentions
2. Know your audience
3. Collect as much information as possible
4. Build structure into your presentation
5. Practice, practice, practice

About the Author

Sharon Mann is President of the I Hate Filing Club, a group of nearly 100,000 office professionals who hate filing but love finding new ways to become more organized. Learn more about how cross training your staff can help you be more productive - visit our website and sign up for the Big Ideas newsletter.

Life Insurance If You Are Gay

You are probably going to need life assurance if you want to insure your health or your income should you become ill and unable to work- something which is especially important for single people or people with dependents, including a same-sex partner.There are also instances, like buying a house, when life insurance may be necessary.

Providers might want to know if you are gay.They will ask you to complete an application form which will include information on whether your partner is in the homosexual category.The enquiry may not be direct but the insurance company will subsequently send out an intrusive questionnaire on lifestyle.

It might be tempting not to disclose information or to give false details but this would only serve invalidate your insurance and is consequently a very bad idea.Furthermore, this can give rise to considerable difficulties when reapplying to other companies.

Once the form has been completed, you may then be requested to take a test to find out if you are HIV positive.There are no pre-set rules on testing and insurance companies are fairly random in their selection process.

If you do test positive for HIV, it will be difficult to buy products associated with life insurance.Simply taking the test itself can result in a refusal of cover by some insurers, even if the result is negative.
Even if you pass all the tests satisfactorily some companies will still double or treble your premiums.Most companies will insist on HIV testing for gay men who apply for income protection or critical illness policies even though neither would pay out for an HIV related claim.If you believe life cover has been unfairly refused, write to the Association of British Insurers at 51 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7HQ.Phil Carvosso, of Carvosso & Co, a financial adviser based in Brighton, says: 'It is not nice knowing the insurer can claim rights to some of your blood.Understandably the test can be harrowing.

He recommends that you take the test on your own terms in advance of going to an insurer.To avoid insurance companies being allowed access to areas of your medical history, some people suggest getting drug or STD treatment at anonymous clinics which are available in nearly every town or city.The National Aids Helpline or the Terrence Higgins Trust should be able to help you locate a suitable one.Present guidelines used by the insurance industry in relation to gay applications are very out of date.The ABI has been considering new proposals thanks to tireless campaigning by gay IFA Chris Morgan and the Terrence Higgins Trust.

There has already been an agreement between The ABI and The British Medical Association whereby doctors should not be requested to give information on STIs and negative HIV tests.New proposals would make the risk assessment undertaken by insurance more up- to- date by ensuring that safe sexual behaviour, rather than sexuality, is the criterion.

Although it may be some time before new guidelines are fully implemented, gay applicants can normally still obtain the cover they need even in the present system.Independent Financial Advisors, specialising in gay finance can often find cover without any need for testing and on precisely the same terms that apply to heterosexual applicants.

Mr Carvosso recommends Scottish Widows which he feels is more sympathetic than some banks.Shopping on-line can also generate some of the best prices.theidol.com is reportedly one of the cheapest, offering all types of life insurance, including that for gay applicants.Isis Financial Planners (tel.08000 1960 69) also specialises in gay insurance.

About the Author

Interested in getting a quote on Life Insurance ?

Please Visit Uk Life Insurance cover for more information and other resources.Our sister site Life Brokers offers cutting edge articles and information about Life insurance and other financial products.

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How To Convince Your Boss Telecommuting Is A Good Idea

There are many different ways on how to convince your boss telecommuting is a good idea.If you are like many other individuals who go back and forth to work on a daily basis, you have probably played with the idea that it would be rather nice to work from the comfort of your home.

There are many different reasons why many individuals feel as if working at home is the best choice for them.Many have young children that need to be cared for, others have medical conditions, and then there are some that simply want to fall out of the loop of office politics.

Telecommuting is an excellent means of working at home.Here, you will learn the steps on how to convince your boss telecommuting is a good idea.

What is Telecommuting?

Telecommuting is the process in which an individual works in a location that is considered to be "remote", or "outside" the standard place to conduct the work.The work that is performed is the same work that would be performed if the same person were to travel back and forth to a particular place of employment.

Typically, the work that is performed in the telecommuting fashion is done so with a number of tools such as a computer system, remote software, telephone system, and even a fax machine.In some cases, work may be required to be dropped off at a certain location once a month or more.

The Benefits of Telecommuting

There are many different benefits associated with telecommuting.

While many reasons or advantages for this type of work may be personal in nature, there are other base benefits as well.These advantages include the following:

1.

This type of work may assist in preserving certain types of resources on behalf of both the employee, as well as the employer.Examples of resources may include the fact that fuel is preserved, office space is opened up for other tasks, and office supplies are also used less as the individual working at home typically provides their own, or rations what is issued to them in a more effective manner than if they were in the office.

2.Many who work from home find that they experience illness less frequently than if they worked in an outside job.One, they are not exposed to the germs and illnesses being passed around in the workplace, and the second reason is that they are not subjected to the stress that is often associated with a job that is performed outside the home.

3.In addition to the previous benefits, it has been found that increased levels of productivity are experienced when an individual works in the home.The workplace is loaded with distractions to time, and the hours are carefully guarded by a time clock.When one telecommutes, they are no longer distracted with unnecessary things, and they can set the hours that they work best!

Tips for Selling the Idea to Your Boss

If you are looking for tips for selling the idea to your boss, you can use the items mentioned in the benefits section of this guide as a starter.

The idea is to veer away from the ideas on why the position of working remotely benefits you, and go with the ideas in which the concept of telecommuting will benefit the boss, and the business that you work for in general.

One example may include saving time and money on resources and space within the workplace.The next may be that individuals who telecommute are more apt to get the job done more quickly, and stay with the job much longer than those that work in an outside place of employment.

Looking on how to convince your boss that telecommuting is a good idea?The ideas in this guide will do just that!

About the Author

Chris Simpson is dedicated to helping people find honest and legitimate work at home opportunities and home based business ideas.

Find legitimate work at home jobs and many other great opportunities to make money online today at: www.HomeNetPro.com

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