Empey pledges to tackle North's computer skills shortfall

Up to a quarter of working adults lack basic computing skills, the North's employment minister said today.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is to become the third essential skill to tackle the shortfall, Reg Empey added.

“Without basic ICT skills individuals risk being isolated in a world which is increasingly linked through information and technology,” he said.

“ICT and technology illiteracy is now as great a barrier to social exclusion and employability as a lack of literacy and numeracy skills has been to date.”

There will be free access to ICT training courses.

Empey added: “In the UK up to a quarter of the working population lack basic ICT skills.

“In the modern world it is essential to have ICT, you could not do your job without it nor could most people and we have a big qualifications deficit with the other European countries.”

Sweden, Denmark and Germany have better records.

The minister said the courses should help close that gap.

“This will further improve the skills profile of the Northern Ireland workforce in order to drive forward growth, productivity and long-term prosperity,” he added.