Member Article

Workers' IT talent ignored

Small businesses are failing to take advantage of employees’ IT skills because they have joined the company in another function, according to research by database company FileMaker. The survey found that 82% of school leavers feel confident in their IT skills but are often not given the chance to put them into practice when they start a job.

85% of the recent school leavers or graduates surveyed said they knew how to use PowerPoint but only 39% used it at work. The figures for spreadsheet software were similar, at 88% and 65% respectively.

Tony Speakman, Northern Europe regional manager at FileMaker, said: “Many businesses - particularly SMEs - don’t understand the hidden IT talent they have within their organisations, nor do they understand the power that IT can have to transform their business. “Businesses need to wise up and tap into the knowledge and enthusiasm this generation has to offer. If they don’t fully understand how to utilise the capabilities of this skilled workforce they will suffer in the long run.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .