Scotland was accused recently, rather unfairly we thought, of being a nation of technophobes. This was apparently off the back of some research carried out at crucial.com.
Well, thank goodness, even amid such infamy the country has managed to become one of the hottest IT activity centres on the planet. And, while information technologies may not have been historically synonymous with Scotland, all that looks set to change.
In March last year the Scottish Government published the ICT and digital technologies Skills Investment Plan. As part of this it pledged £6.6 million in fresh investment into the sector, to create up to 11,000 new Scottish IT jobs. This signalled Scotland’s intent to build itself as an industry leader in cutting-edge IT technology and expertise.
A year on, and the growth of Scotland’s IT sector shows no signs of slowing.
The investment has been a key player, but so is the growing global demand for high level IT design and production. Scotland has always been a known name in ICT, but it is now actively seeking to take advantage of this demand and investment to continue its rapid growth in the industry.
There is huge demand for Scottish IT talent and expertise, and the country has set a standard for progressive, creative and forward-thinking IT design, drawing interest from investors across the globe in the process.
The Scottish IT industry now delivers approximately £3 billion to the Scottish economy each year, and the number keeps rising. The sector supports approximately 73,000 digital technology professionals in the Scottish IT movement.
It has responded to fears of a future skills shortage by increasing the accessibility of and delivering industry led academy training to Scotland’s future IT workforce. It has strengthened the relationship between employers and education, ensuring the correct skills are trained with more real time experience.
This includes a pledge for 750 work placements to be established for students by 2016.
Scotland has also been successful in offering more opportunities for female involvement in the traditionally male led career, which is symbolic of Scotland’s progressive attitudes towards IT.
Scotland got right behind its IT sector, and now investors across the globe are too. Now it wants to develop its own style and method to IT creation; it aims to grow and establish itself as an IT powerhouse, leading the industry with creative ideas and investment in the right places. All with a very Scottish spin. A nation of technophobes? Ah wheesht!
If you’re looking for a new career or a fresh challenge check out the latest IT jobs on s1jobs right now.
Scotland technophobes?