Computing/IT skills 'essential' to graduate jobs

Graduates lacking basic IT skills are putting themselves at a significant disadvantage in the jobs market has been claimed.

The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) says a competence with computers and IT software is becoming increasingly vital in the modern world, especially in a competitive market.

There are increasingly few jobs these days which do not require some computer use, meaning that a basic or working knowledge of typical office programmes is "very essential" just to communicate with your colleagues and to function.

"You only have to be in an office or a work environment when computer systems go down to realise how much we now are all completely dependent on computers and technology to actually function," AGCAS says.

On days when computer systems fail, workers often do not have anything to do to occupy their time.

According to the National Employers Skills Survey 2007, published by Leading Learning and Skills in May 2008, there has been a notable rise in the proportion of skill shortage vacancies attributed to a lack of information technology professional skills.

The report indicates that 67 per cent of employers provide training for at least some of their staff, up from 59 per cent in 2003.