SMEs 'lacking' in IT department

News Article - 07 December 2006
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Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK are suffering from a lack of technological expertise, an investigation has shown.

The study, launched by the Centre for Future Studies, found that many customers were being left dissatisfied because some businesses do not have the relevant skills to implement IT solutions, contractoruk.com reports.

Up to half of the businesses questioned were found to have deficiencies regarding IT skills and knowledge and as a result were not optimising their ICT management.

Despite these findings, some 79 per cent of respondents said they thought their businesses had all the necessary IT skills they needed.

Sponsoring the investigation, BT said: "What is clear is that, across the board, essential skills in managing, purchasing and operating IT&C are missing to a greater or lesser degree."

The company added that IT skills were now necessary in meeting customer demands, especially since the rise in popularity of e-business and online trading.

Recommendations put forward recently in the Leitch Review suggested that employers should develop the skills pool of their workers in order to boost the expertise of their staff.

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