High demand for IT skills, but no one wants to train, says Excom

Stuart Corner
Friday, 17 August 2007 01:36

IT Industry - Market

IT training organisation, Excom Education, has launched a $14,000 training scholarship in a move to alleviate what it says is "waning interest in the IT sector" despite a huge increase in demand for IT skills.

Excom cites the Olivier Job Index (Feb 2007) to claim that demand from employers seeking IT professionals increased by 62 percent over the last financial year. Yet, it says "enrolments [in courses] within the IT sector have dwindled across the country."

The scholarship is for Excom's EXpress IT training and job placement program and "will enable the successful applicant to complete the EXpress IT Program and kick start their IT career with a guaranteed job in the industry within four months of completing their studies," Excom says.

"We are expecting to boost some of the interest that has been lacking in the IT industry, inspire people to look at IT as a path to a progressive and rewarding career with real opportunities and educate people about getting the right type of training to maximise their chances of employment," said Cassandra Ashworth, national manager of Excom's EXpress IT Program.

"This scholarship will equip the successful applicant with the practical skills and hands-on training, so that they have the real-world experience that employers are seeking," she added.

Excom also expects that the prospect of a looming skills shortage coupled with national employment rates at an all time low to "push training providers into action and discussion [to rectify] the imbalance within the sector."