Industry news

IT workers' skills should be utilised more effectively

UK firms should do more to ensure that they are fully utilising the end-user computer skills of their employees, as this can ensure higher staff productivity levels, according to new research.

Filemaker, a firm which develops software for databases, commissioned a survey of 1,000 school leavers and graduates.

Although 82 per cent of school leavers and 84 per cent of graduates were confident about their IT skills, only 51 per cent felt that they were being given the chance to fully utilise them at work.

It was also found that 85 per cent of those surveyed knew how to use presentation software, while 88 per cent could use spreadsheets.

However, only 39 per cent and 65 per cent of respondents were able to use these respective skills in their workplace, with 49 per cent saying they did not use technology creatively at work.

Speaking to business technology website Computer Weekly, Tony Speakman, regional manager of Filemaker North Europe, explained that businesses should consider providing employees formal training rather than expecting them to learn on the job, to maximise competitive advantage.