ICT skills are "vital catalyst to a thriving economy

Citation

(2002), "ICT skills are "vital catalyst to a thriving economy", Journal of European Industrial Training, Vol. 26 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/jeit.2002.00326fab.002

ICT skills are "vital catalyst to a thriving economy"

ICT skills are "vital catalyst to a thriving economy"

A strong skill base in information and communication technology is a vital catalyst to a thriving economy, Douglas Alexander, Britain's e-commerce minister, told IT leaders and entrepreneurs at "Building Britain's Brainpower" conference.

He said: "Information and communication technologies are intimately bound up with the future of Britain as a highly successful, knowledge-based economy.

"The development and maintenance of a healthy skills base is vital for economic success and productivity. The Government is supporting a major strategy to maintain and improve the supply of skilled labour for these key industries."

The conference was organized by the Real Time Club's Foresight Associate Programme, SCALE21, which assesses the ability of individuals to meet the needs of a rapidly developing industry.

Welcoming the work of the programme, Mr Alexander said: "It is vital to understand and recognize the skills that are needed to make an IT professional. We cannot afford to overlook the talent the UK has to offer."

Mr Alexander also launched Point and Click: Learners in the ICT Driving Seat, an independent report from the Foresight programme. The report identifies the key challenges facing education and skill development in the next 20 years and concludes that information and communication technology will change the way society learns.

Mr Alexander said: "Developing the right e-learning culture will make sure that the UK has the right skills to get the most from the opportunities offered by new technologies. Broadband technology is central to meeting the needs of the growing knowledge economy. Working with business, our aim is to develop a competitive and comprehensive broadband market."

The Foresight report's vision of the learning process in 2020 identifies that ICTs will be used to change the process itself, and that learning will be a recurring experience throughout life. This will mean an increase in the number of people and organizations who provide education, and a change to assessment methods.