Home > News > June 2003 > 16-Jun-2003

IT profession changing face says survey

The days of the IT professional as resident office nerd, allergic to conversation and operating in a world of their own, could be numbered as today's employers are demanding fully rounded IT super workers with the gift of the gab.

Nearly nine in ten (85 per cent) IT recruitment consultants say the role of the IT worker is changing, according to new research from City & Guilds. And 85 per cent say employers are increasingly seeking IT staff with ‘softer' business and communication skills like team working and writing.

Technical ability alone, it seems, is no longer enough to fulfil a 21st century IT position. More than eight in ten (86 per cent) recruiters say IT professionals need to possess wider skills - three quarters say being a good communicator is key, seven in ten (69 per cent) say strong customer relations skills are important, and six in ten cite a good understanding of the business as being essential.

However, IT workers are falling short of bosses' expectations. Six in ten specialist headhunters feel that IT practitioners are failing to match employer requirements, and a third (34 per cent) say they are experiencing difficulties recruiting those with ‘softer' skills. Nearly two thirds (62 per cent) feel that interpersonal skills are most lacking, followed by customer relations experience (52 per cent) and a sound business knowledge (51 per cent).

And it's not just job prospects that technology-focussed IT professionals are limiting, there are financial implications too. Two thirds of IT recruiters say that tech-heads lacking ‘softer' competences reduce their earning potential significantly - a quarter say they can expect to earn £5,000 less than their multi-skilled counterparts.

But despite the employability and monetary rewards, it seems that when it comes to broadening their skills, many are burying their heads in the sand - a quarter of recruitment consultants say that IT workers are unaware of the need to possess ‘softer' skills.

Paul McCloskey, product manager for e-Quals at City & Guilds said: "The role of the IT professional within the UK workforce is changing radically. Employers are increasingly recognising the commercial and financial value of recruiting individuals who combine broad business and communication skills, with sound technical abilities. In our view, this combined approach is the most effective way for today's IT practitioners to gain a competitive edge whilst boosting their earning potential and employability."

About the research

The research is based on telephone interviews with 102 specialist IT recruitment consultants. Interviews were conducted by The Survey Shop in April 2003 on behalf of City & Guilds.

Related information

For related news, case studies, articles and research, visit our
IT training home page

Training and development books

Discover books on a variety of training and development topics at the Training Reference Bookshop

Source suppliers

Visit the Training Reference Directory to view supplier details for a wide range of courses, products and services.

Sponsored links

Back to top