Information Technology

Jobs range from the highly technical, such as software developer, computer games designer or technical support, to those requiring good business awareness such as systems analyst, database administrator or web author. Job titles can be confusing as they are not consistent across the industry and multiskilling means roles can overlap.

Check out the professional bodies’ own entries in the Profession Finder

There are a number of professional bodies covering these sectors.  Here you will find information on:

• Jobs and salaries
• Routes and Qualifications
• Funding

Jobs and Salaries

What jobs are there within IT?

How might your career develop within IT?

Read more information on careers within IT, including the history of the profession, the future of the profession and key issues within IT.

Check out the Official Career Guide to the profession.

Find out what it is like to be an IT apprentice – watch videos and read case studies.

Routes and Qualifications

There are many qualification options available from the BCS (Chartered Institute of IT), whether you are a beginner, or IT professional. 

Soctim, the membership association for all ICT professionals working in Local Authorities and the Public and Third Sectors also offer courses to help develop your career in IT.

The ACTIP (Association of Certified IT Professionals) also provides information on IT related qualifications, divided into courses on Computer Maintenance, Website Design and Desk Top Skills. They also provide information on how to study.

Apprenticeships in IT – check them out. Interested in a higher apprenticeship?  

Funding

Funding for qualifications in IT are dependent on the individual institute.

What’s it like to work in this sector?

• Nearly all jobs are office based and involve large amounts of time at a desk at a computer screen.
• Most work a fairly standard day, however the cyclical nature of projects means that extra work may be necessary to meet project deadlines or to provide 24/7 support.
  In the games industry however long hours are the norm.
• IT offers good promotion opportunities. The fast pace of change in the industry means that career progression depends on keeping up with developments, retraining in new skills and anticipating future trends. Once experienced, many people work on a freelance or contract basis, or set up a consultancy.

How big is this sector?

• The IT sector is expanding and it’s predicted the UK economy will require an average of 141,000 new IT professionals every year for the next four years (Technology Counts IT and Telecoms Insights 2008, e-skills UK, January 2008).

Where can I work?

• Opportunities exist throughout the UK, although over 40% of UK IT jobs are based in London and the South East.
• As IT skills are international, opportunities to work abroad are fairly common.

What do employers look for?

• Teamwork skills and good verbal and writing skills are often just as vital as technical knowledge and almost all jobs require the ability to solve complex problems in a logical manner.
• All computer specialists also require a broad knowledge of internet technologies.
• There are a number of different qualification available to gain entry to the IT sector.
• Some people go in with an IT degree, a HND or BTEC qualification, others with A levels or GCSE grades. It is also possible to take an apprenticeship in IT leading to an NVQ qualification.