The IT workforce of 1.2 million people is forecast to grow at between 1.5% and 2.2% per year.  Sector information

The Telecoms industry employs 278,000 people, which includes 35,000 telecoms engineers.  Sector information

The IT workforces in the East Midlands, London and the South East are set to increase their share of the UK IT workforce to 2014.  Regional and national dimension

Despite experiencing overall growth in the IT workforce, the overall share of the IT workforce in Scotland, the North West and the North East  will decline between now and 2014.  Regional and national dimension

The most common IT professional job role in the UK is ‘Software professional’; this is set to increase in importance by 2014.  Occupations

Occupational segregation is a key threat to productivity, competitiveness and choice.  Only 20% of IT professionals are female; the average age is 37 years; 11% have some disability; and 89% are white.  Equal opportunities

IT professionals are better qualified than the general workforce.  59% of IT professionals have attained a degree or equivalent qualification, compared to 30% in the UK workforce.  Education and training

Research on the IT sector is focused on career management planning and strategies of IT professionals; developing women in the IT sector; and the role that IT can play in guidance for higher education especially with regard to gendered subject choices.  Research

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Sector information

This contains an overview of the sector as a whole, details future trends in employment together with skill gaps and workforce development issues.

Data and charts

Links to the charts contained within this sector are listed.

Regional / national dimension

Information on regional trends and difference, together with trends in the home nations including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Occupations

Information and trends on sectoral occupations.

Equal opportunities

Key information on equal opportunity issues specific to the sector.

Education and training

Education and training information and issues including work-based learning, apprenticeships, vocational qualifications, and further and higher education courses.

Research

A list of recent research publications which is intended to be a starting point for those wishing for more detail on the sector.

Discussion points

Thought-provoking and challenging questions to start discussions.

Summary: IT and Telecoms

Links and sources

This contains direct links to all the materials used to compile this sector. More in-depth and detailed information can be found in the source materials as only key points have been extracted. In addition, websites and further sources which may be of interest have been included.