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While the IT market is not as buoyant or optimistic as it was in the mid nineties, there are still opportunities across the sector, in all industries. E-skills UK currently suggests 9% overall IT growth to 2005. The ubiquitous presence of the Internet means that opportunities in the web development industry are still good and integrated applications developments are creating positions right across the sector. Expansion is also predicted in networked and mobile services. This is as true across the Yorkshire region as it is nationally.

According to a report from e-skills Regional Gap (published July 2003) IT staff levels are expected to drop in the South by 2.5% (London) and 7% (the South East), while IT workforces in Yorkshire and Humberside (amongst other regions) are expected to increase by between 0.5% and 4% over the next 12 months. There are opportunities for IT professionals in just about every area of employment but the largest numbers are expected in financial services, manufacturing and the public sector. In particular financial services are well represented in this region.

There are great strengths in Yorkshire and Humber in IT and in particular West Yorkshire is a leading centre for new economy businesses, hosting the likes of Freeserve, ntl, Energis, Pace Microtechnology, Firstnet and One to One. In fact a third of UK internet traffic is currently routed through Leeds. The region has creative industry strengths in internet services and games software development and Yorkshire Forward (Regional Development Agency) is working on specific projects to bring more IT jobs into the region. In Sheffield there are plans to build an e-campus in order to attract IT related firms. Work has started, although it is unlikely to be completed before 2006. For more information on this see details at Yorkshire Forward - link below. There is also the planned Internet Quarter in Leeds as part of e-HQ Leeds and already established in the region are the Cultural Industry Quarter in Sheffield, Hull Digital City, and National Grid for Learning.

A degree in IT is not a pre-requisite for many jobs in the sector, though it may obviously be an advantage. Most large recruiters train graduate entrants and often look for the potential to learn new skills quickly rather than expertise in a single area. Small companies, however, tend to require specific skills. There is a renewed desire for commercial skills which reflects a more strategic approach to IT integration and the business emphasis on providing solutions rather than products.

Useful links:

Institute for the Management of Information Systems (IMIS)

IMIS is the leading professional association in the Information Systems management sector, which plays a prominent role in fostering greater understanding of the importance of IS management, working to enhance the status of those engaged in the profession, and promoting higher standards through better education and training, both in the UK and overseas. IMIS focuses specifically on the practical application and management of information systems within society.

British Computer Society

The British Computer Society (BCS) is the industry body for IT professionals, and a Chartered Engineering Institution for Information Technology (IT). With members in over 100 countries around the world, the BCS is the leading professional and learned Society in the field of computers and information systems.

British Computer Society Magazine

Website for the magazine of the British Computer Society.

ICT Directory for Great Britain

You can search this directory for IT organisations in the region.

Sector Skills Council for IT

e-skills UK acts as the voice of employers on IT to create the skills environment that businesses need to be productive and competitive.

UK Internet Directory

Searchable online directory for internet related products and services.

Yorkshire Forward Digital Industries Cluster

Useful background information and links on the digital industries in the region and the work that Yorkshire Forward is doing to encourage the formation of a digital industries cluster. This cluster encompasses electronics (including telecoms), ICT, creative, cultural, media, print, packaging and design businesses.

Specific information on the e-campus at Sheffield.

Cultural Industries Quarter (CIQ)

The Cultural Industries Quarter is an area in the heart of Sheffield that is home to the largest concentration of creative production in Yorkshire and Humber.

e-HQ Leeds

eHQ has been set up to shape the way Leeds addresses the e-business agenda. With a current membership of almost 200 companies and organisations, it represents a powerful partnership between public and private sectors

Hull Digital City

Hull is rapidly transforming into a World Class Digital City. The City has its own telecommunications company, Kingston Communications, as well as a world-class technology and infrastructure.

National Grid for Learning

The National Grid for Learning is the gateway to educational resources on the internet, providing a network of selected links to websites that offer high quality content and information.

Digital Yorkshire

The website for the digital industries cluster in Yorkshire.

Training

UK IT training guide from QCK.com with useful links to providers.

e-skills.com

e-skills.com offers a graduate apprenticeship which provides customised and certified training for new graduates entering IT.

 

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