IT body calls for focus on home-grown ‘techie’ talent
The UK should focus on developing its own IT staff, rather than on relaxing visa requirements to let in more foreign IT workers, according to Michael Gough, chairman of the National Computing Centre, an independent body for the sector. His comments came after Microsoft chairman Bill Gates claimed that visa restrictions were damaging the economic performance of US software and IT services companies. Gough said businesses should focus on providing better career paths, training and raising professional standards to make IT a more attractive profession.
www.ncc.co.uk
Sainsbury’s buys into retail union’s IT training scheme
Retail union Usdaw has launched an in-store learning partnership with supermarket chain Sainsbury’s, offering training in areas such as IT, literacy and numeracy. The union has teamed up with local colleges to run a series of ‘Lifelong Learning’ workshops at Sainsbury’s stores in the South West. Usdaw’s Lifelong Learning project worker, Christine Green, said: “We are delighted Sainsbury’s has been so supportive of this scheme and that it recognises the value of a well-educated, motivated workforce.” www.usdaw.org.uk
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