12:10pm Thursday 25th February 2010
By Claire Fry
RESEARCH has shown that IT skills are now vital for job success in Worcester.
Everyday IT skills can help you earn more money, keep an existing job or get a new one, according to new research among bosses and staff in Worcester.
However, it is believed many people still need to bring their computer knowledge up to scratch.
In a learndirect survey, half of companies across the city say they would consider increasing a salary offer to attract someone who has the ability to use applications such as e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and the internet.
All Worcester businesses surveyed claimed to ask about applicants’ ability to use a computer when recruiting, and 67 per cent say these skills are a must for all employees.
However, 50 per cent of workers aren’t fully confident in their ability to use IT, with 26 per cent admitting they’ve had to re-do tasks or lie to colleagues to cover up mistakes because they lacked the right skills.
More widely in Worcester, people struggle with a number of common IT terms: Forty-seven per cent are unsure what is meant by the term mail merge; Twenty-one per cent don’t understand what an inbox or a web page is; Eleven per cent can’t explain what a download is.
Bernadette Francis, regional performance director for learndirect in the West Midlands, said: “The research shows how important IT has become in workplaces across Worcester.
“A large majority of jobs now need staff who know how to use computers, so it’s crucial people aren’t left behind as IT becomes central to working life. learndirect offers flexible qualifications to help people improve their everyday IT skills whether they’re looking for a new job, want to get on in their current one or simply want to know how to do more with a home computer.”
To find out about learndirect’s IT qualifications, visit learndirect.co.uk/it, call 0800 1114213 or go to your local learndirect centre.
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