Part 3.2 Strategic objectives for IT user skills

To address IT user skills needs, similar principles to those highlighted for IT professionals (see Part 2 ) apply - making sure people have the skills employers need, encouraging people to become qualified, improving training and the linkage between employers and educators, and providing an overall industry view of skills needs so that stakeholders can align to a common agenda. The following set of strategic objectives determine the specific priorities for IT user skills.

1. Increased demand across the UK population for IT user skills, by improving understanding of their value to the individual and to UK business
2. Increased use of IT user qualifications and development pathways that are valued by employers
3. Improved accessibility of IT user training based on standards defined by employers
4. Increased investment to improve IT user skills in line with the needs of employers and society
5. Stronger linkages between educational curricula and employer needs for IT user skills
6. Authoritative skills intelligence defining UK-wide needs for IT user skills
7. Alignment of the stakeholders with most impact on IT user skills in addressing these objectives.

The overall intent is for the UK’s general population to become skilled and enthusiastic about the use of IT.

"An ability to use IT effectively is now a necessary skill for all citizens, at work and in their private lives. Government and industry have to exploit the promise of IT in openly inclusive ways that allow all citizens to benefit. There are many excellent initiatives taking place to these ends. I hope this strategy will inspire more, by giving a clear lead to deliver on this vitally important agenda." Richard Sykes Chairman, Morgan Chambers & Chair, IT4all Board, e-skills NTO