Employee IT skills 'aren't recognised by employers'

Young recruits to the UK workforce are highly confident of their IT skills, new research has suggested.

According to a poll by database firm FileMaker, 82 per cent of school leavers are assured at using general IT skills; while 85 per cent said they know how to create a PowerPoint presentation yet only 39 per cent stated that they had used the application at work.

Regional manager of northern Europe for FileMaker Tony Speakman remarked that many employees are not only IT literate but can use their skills in a business- orientated environment.

This generation has grown up IT savvy and educators have done a good job ensuring that they have the skills to take into the workplace, he remarked.

Businesses need to wise up and tap into the knowledge and enthusiasm this generation has to offer.

Mr Speakman suggested that many employers are not taking advantage of the skills their employees possess.

ClickAJob chief executive Yngve Traberg has this advice: that companies should check skill levels to see EXACTLY where new recruits' capabilities are and how to use them effectively.

Seeing 'PowerPoint' or 'Excel' on a CV is not good enough, he says.

To slot new staff into exactly the right level, employers need to test and verify IT skills first, so easily done in just 40 minutes online. On our ClickATest site for instance, employers can see immediately if training is adequate, or more is necessary.

Online tests reassure employers too, he continues. They might not have the relevant skills themselves, but at least they know their new employees do.