| Industries such as plumbing, construction, oil and gas, | | | | IT training and IT-based computer courses are |
| midwifery, finance, teaching, nursing, public relations, | | | | concerned, recognizing the vocational relevance of |
| customer services and IT are all continuing to grow. | | | | such qualifications - many of which are recognized |
| Many of these are facing difficult times, as the supply | | | | internationally. There is awareness in the education |
| of qualified workers has fallen over the last ten | | | | system for a new generation of pioneers within this |
| years. | | | | industry and these courses seek to equip them with |
| The UK's IT industry is growing at around eight times | | | | the skills and knowledge necessary to rise to the |
| the national growth average and needs around | | | | challenges set by the industrial, commercial and public |
| 150,000 new entrants every year to meet the | | | | worlds of tomorrow. |
| current levels of demand. The industry itself employs | | | | The Government, too, has recognized the benefit |
| around 1.1 million skilled professionals, most of whom | | | | that the booming interest in IT qualifications is, in |
| have IT skills that were learned at schools, college | | | | turn, having on the UK's economy. With the IT |
| and university. However, as the current technologies | | | | industry contributing around £570,000 million to |
| advance, new IT training is required. This has seen | | | | the country's Gross National Average, it is little |
| many companies invest substantial amounts in training | | | | wonder that they are plowing investment into this |
| programmes to prevent any delay in the generation | | | | area and are even using opportunities offered by |
| of new products and services. | | | | landmark events, such as the 2012 Olympics, to act |
| As the wages in the IT industry continue to rise, | | | | as a showcase for the new generation of IT |
| more and more youngsters are considering IT | | | | professionals. |
| careers as a worthwhile option. In conjunction with | | | | Those who have not had the benefit of qualifications |
| this, the number of those passing IT qualification | | | | from school or college need not fret; there are a |
| exams at GCSE level has increased by 25% and | | | | rising number of institutions offering IT training across |
| pass-rates going up by around a third. The rising | | | | the country - in all aspects of the industry. Online |
| popularity of this subject and its potential for | | | | computer courses and IT qualifications are rising in |
| employment saw it rise from just a few thousand | | | | popularity as people realize just how their skills can |
| entries in 1997 to over 100,000 in just 4 years. With | | | | contribute to an industry that shapes our lives on a |
| a starting wage for a new recruit at around | | | | daily basis. In return, well-qualified individuals can |
| £30,000 per year, the IT industry appears to | | | | expect challenging and dynamic careers in the world |
| offer jobs that are safe and well paid. | | | | of Information Technology. |
| Universities have also stepped up to the mark where | | | | |