The UK’s future prosperity depends on its ability to become more productive. It faces this challenge against a backdrop of increasing global competition and rapid technological change.

ICT sits at the heart of the UK economy and a key source of its competitive advantage. ICT makes a vital contribution to productivity growth at company, sector and economy level, both in its own right and as a pervasive technology. It is also a key means for accelerating innovation and technological diffusion.

The sector continues to grow; employment in the IT industry is increasing at between five and eight times the UK average and around 150,000 entrants to the IT workforce are required each year for the next decade to meet growth and replacement demand.

Employers want employees with the right IT skills to do their jobs. Through Sector Skills Agreements, the Government has given Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) a unique opportunity to influence the skills and education landscapes to the employer agenda.

We are working with the SSC for the IT and telecoms sectors, e-skills UK, to bring about change in support of the business voice and to increase productivity and competitiveness.

Engaging, as it does, with the IAP, e-skills UK is well-placed to continue to influence its strategic skills direction, in support of the UK's future prosperity.

For information please visit the e-skills website