Discouraging IT A levels could lead to skills shortage

Comment from recruiter FDM in response to this morning’s news that leading universities are advising students to steer clear of the softer subjects, including IT. Discouraging students from taking technology-based subjects could lead to a dramatic skills shortage, especially when last week’s A level results showed a drop in the numbers of students choosing IT at A level according to Julian Divett, Chief Operating Officer at FDM.

He continues:

Learning that leading education establishments in the UK regard technology as a soft option is disappointing. The technology industry is on the up and IT skills are in hot demand, especially in the financial services sector. The government is very keen on closing the digital divide and Gordon Brown continues to talk the talk on encouraging technology innovation in the UK, along similar lines to the US.
Labelling subjects as soft is completely misguided, as it discourages learning and moves students away from areas of personal interest. If it is easier to achieve higher grades in some subjects, then universities should look at adjusting their entry requirements depending on which A levels a student has taken.

Students should study core skills such as English and Maths right up to A level, which would enable election of additional, more career-focused subjects and allow universities to use broader selection criteria, overcoming the complaint of lack of basic literacy skills. We need to stop passing the buck as to who is to blame. UK businesses are currently left to pick up the pieces, either by providing training in-house or using agencies that train graduates up to the required standard, a set up that cannot continue long term if the UK is to compete globally both in the business and education sectors. Discouraging students from taking technology-based subjects could lead to a dramatic skills shortage, especially when last week’s A level results showed a drop in the numbers of students choosing IT at A level. Yet if key institutions such as Oxbridge continue to discourage students from taking technology based subjects, the UK YouTube or MySpace is a long way off. Julian Divett, Chief Operating Officer FDM Graduate Recruitment

Do let me know if you require any further info from Julian. FDM is an IT services company specialising in IT recruitment and training. Founded in 1984, it is headquartered in the UK and has a rapidly expanding client base which includes British Airways, JP Morgan, The AA, Sybase and Reuters. See www.fdmgroup.com for more information.