 |
|
| CURRENT SECTION :: Jobs | UK's most visited IT Contractor Site - 250k unique visitors March 2008 |
|
 |
An invitation to ministers to set more youngsters on course for IT careers to stem the industry shortage of 120,000 jobs has received some initial answers, but not from the state. Yesterday, the University of Aberdeen unveiled a postgraduate degree that allows students to gain the new IT qualification without needing to leave their home or office. One of the first degrees of its type, the MSc in Software Project Management uses virtual learning technology, so students can learn remotely without having to visit campus. Once enrolled, students get a user ID and password for access to learning materials and course work, potentially enabling them to log on from the “other side of the world.” “Because they are not moved away from their workplace, students can put their new found skills into practice as they progress throughout their learning,” said programme director Dr Ernesto Compatangelo “This combined with the fact that coursework assignments can be directly related to the student's work situation, means that the overall educational experience is enhanced.” The full MSc takes three years, though students can complete their studies within one or two years for a postgraduate certificate of postgraduate diploma. Last month, E-Skills said the first students to take its IT Management for Business degree, available in 13 universities, and backed by 50 major employers, had completed their studies. The skills council’s degree focuses on the skills that employers have pinpointed as vital for future IT leaders, and teaches how to design, develop and implement IT for businesses. Several IT employers, including British Airways, BT, Ford, Fujitsu, IBM and Unilever support the degree, by providing input such as lectures, short courses, networking or placements. Paul Coby, CIO of British Airways, who hired one of the ITMB graduates, said the degree’s mix of business understanding with real IT skills was ‘just what employers were looking for.’ The developments will please the CBI, which last week urged the government to engage more teens in sciences and encourage them to pursue related careers, like computing and technology. Nick Dettmar, managing director of Computer People, said the call by the employers’ group could be hugely beneficial to the IT industry, given its shortage of talent and skills. “Today's teenagers often view a career in the sciences as 'geeky' or 'boring' when the reality is very different,” he told CUK. “The IT industry is one such area struggling to find that next generation of talent. E-skills has suggested that the industry has a massive recruitment shortfall of 120,000, emphasising the huge demand for skilled staff in this sector.” Dettmar said teenagers’ broad knowledge and enthusiasm for technology can be nurtured by government, as well as industry, if they are shown that opportunities in IT can be exciting, if not varied. Aug 20, 2008 Email this article Printer friendly page Previous Page
|
|
 
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All content © Contractor UK Limited | [Register for News Letter] | [Privacy Statement] | [Terms of Use] | [Top of Page] |