Kevin Thorn presenting at NESCOT
Following the release of the Recruitment Employment Confederation Technology division's alarming report on ‘Skills Shortages in the ICT Workplace', E-Resourcing has been determined to make its own contribution within the local community. The report discusses how ICT skills are absolutely critical to the future success of UK PLC, and highlights how we are simply not training enough people, nor in the right skills to meet future demand and allow the UK to continue to be a world leader in ICT.
The volume of students leaving education with appropriate ICT skills has been declining for many years, with over 40% less ICT GCSEs taken in 2010 as there were in 2006 - and a similar story is true at Degree level. We have a looming ICT skills crisis. "If Education doesn't focus on the future needs of industry, then the UK cannot maintain its status as a leader in ICT", commented Jon Tyler. However when talking with local colleges and schools E-Resourcing found many were not recognising how much out of synch the majority of them are with what was necessary for the future.
In May NESCOT (North East Surrey College of Technology) hosted the "ABC" industry forum, a think-tank for the future of Britain's Accounting, Business and Computing industries involvement in education. The think-tank is made up of Educators, IT and local Business Leaders and on this occasion included local MP and Employment Minister, Chris Grayling.
Jon Tyler and Kevin Thorn, both Directors of E-Resourcing, were invited to present to the NESCOT students and staff and then lead a lively discussion looking at issues such as the recruitment of more women in IT roles, what industry needs and expects, as well as what opportunities can be anticipated.
‘It is vital that these industries, which have the power to lift the UK out of the downturn, are provided with the resources they need to succeed. One of the best ways to do this is to ensure that, as trainers of the next generation of business leaders, we are working with industry to make sure we equip our students with the skills, knowledge and technical experience to meet the demands of tomorrow,' said Sage Lal, NESCOT Head of Computing, who is very keen to ensure all the courses they offer are relevant to the future.
In addition to leading the discussion on the skills gap and what industry requires now and in the future, E-Resourcing also ran a workshop on attitude to the job market, how to get a job and how to handle the interview. E-Resourcing held sessions on the approach to interviews and adopting a positive mental attitude as well as communication skills assessment and training. Afterwards three members of E-Resourcing held individual counselling sessions for those who required it.
Discussing the event Jon and Kevin commented that, "We believe it is the responsibility of all businesses to contribute to the local community and days such as this are about giving focus to the students. As a follow up, in September E-Resourcing are looking forward to welcoming Chris Grayling to our own offices and discussing initiatives that could help provide UK PLC with a more competitive IT skills pool"
E-Resourcing, which is headquartered in Epsom, Surrey, was set up seven years ago. It has won national recognition, including being named in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 at 24th in 2009, and being in the Recruiter's Fast Track 50 in 2010 and again in 2012. The company, which specialises in the provision of contract and permanent IT and telecoms staffing services across the UK and Europe is jointly owned and run by Directors, Jon Tyler, Alison Page and Kevin Thorn.