Problems in the IT industry

In the information technology industry, it is widely acknowledged that how well IT departments of the future can fulfil their business goals will depend not on the regular updating of technology, which is essential for them to do, but on how well they can hold on to the people skilled at manipulating the newest This is becoming more Best estimates of the current shortfall in IT staff in the UK are between 30,000 and 50,000, and

And there is no end to the problem in A severe industry-wide lack of investment in training means the long-term skills base is both ageing and Employers are chasing experienced staff in ever-decreasing circles, and, according to a recent government report, 250,000 new IT jobs will be created over the next

Most employers are confining themselves to dealing with the immediate There is little evidence, for example, that they are stepping up their intake of raw recruits for in-house training, or retraining existing staff from other This is the course of action recommended by the Computer Software Services Association, but research shows its members are adopting the short-term measure of bringing in more and more consultants on a contract However, this approach is becoming less and less acceptable as the general shortage of skills, coupled with high demand, sends contractor rates An experienced contract programmer, for example, can now earn at least double the current permanent

With IT professionals increasingly attracted to the financial rewards and flexibility of consultancy work, average staff turnover rates are estimated to be around 15%. While many companies in the financial services sector are managing to contain their losses by offering skilled IT staff 'golden handcuffs' - deferred loyalty bonuses that tie them in until a certain date - other organisations, like local governments, are unable to match the competitive salaries and perks on offer in the private sector and contractor market, and are suffering turnover rates of up to 60% a

But while loyalty bonuses have grabbed the headlines, there are other means of holding on to Some companies are doing additional IT pay reviews in the year and paying market But such measures can create serious employee relations problems among those excluded, both within and outside IT Many industry experts advise employers to link bonuses to performance wherever However, employers are realising that bonuses will only succeed if they are accompanied by other incentives such as attractive career prospects, training, and challenging work that meets the individual's long-term

This means managers need to allocate assignments more strategically and think about advancing their staff as well as their Some employers advocate giving key employees projects that would normally be handled by people with slightly more experience or For many employers, however, the urgency of the problem demands a more immediate solution, such as recruiting skilled workers from But even this is not easy, with strict quotas on the number of work permits In addition, opposition to the recruitment of IT people from other countries is growing, as many professionals believe it will lead to even less investment in training and thus a long-term weakening of the UK skills

13 According to the first paragraph, the success of iT departments will depend on

A their success at retaining their skilled

B the extent to which they invest in new

C their attempts to recruit staff with the necessary

D the ability of employees to keep up with the latest

14 A problem referred to in the second paragraph is that

A the government needs to create thousands of new IT 中华考试网(。com)

B the pool of skilled IT people will get even smaller in the

C company budgets for IT training have been decreasing

D older IT professionals have not had adequate

15 What possible solution to the long-term problems in the IT industry is referred to in the third paragraph?

A ensure that permanent staff earn the same as contract staff

B expand company training programmes for new and old employees

C conduct more research into the reasons for staff leaving

D offer top rates to attract the best specialist consultants

16 In some businesses in the financial services sector, the IT staffing problem has led to

A cash promises for skilled staff after a specified period of

B more employees seeking alternative employment in the public

C the loss of customers to rival

D more flexible conditions of work for their

17 Employers accept that IT professionals are more likely to stay in their present post if they

A are set more realistic performance

B have a good working relationship with staff in other

C are provided with good opportunities for professional

D receive a remuneration package at top market

18 According to the final paragraph, the UK skills base will be weakened by

A changes to managers' strategic

B insufficient responsibility being given to IT

C the employment of IT staff with too little

D the hiring of IT personnel from

《Problems in the IT industry》，IT行业的问题。IT行业的人才紧缺并且青黄不接，很多公司只顾短期利益，不愿意投入时间和成本进行培训。并且由于待遇等问题，人员流失现象十分严重。