BOSSES demand good IT skills from employees as Kent drives to put recession behind it, but a new survey highlights a shocking lack of knowledge, ability and confidence.
The findings come from online and work-based training firm LearnDirect, which spoke with companies and staff across Kent and the south east, and found that even everyday IT skills can help people earn more money, keep an existing job or get a new one.
Despite this though nearly two-thirds (60 per cent) of workers aren’t confident they can use computer technology, with 22 per cent admitting to having to re-do work, cover up mistakes or deal with an angry boss because they lacked the right skills.
Some even confessed to struggling with simple and widely-used IT terms: 47 per cent don’t understand the meaning of the term ‘mail merge’, 12 per cent don’t know what is meant by ‘web page’ and 11 per cent can’t explain what an ‘inbox’ is.
Yet even they realise that computer literacy is seen as vital to their job – only a good grasp of English and communication skills are seen as more important.
And the survey confirms that they need to brush up fast in a market where jobs remain at a premium, because their current or would-be boss is only too well aware of the need for better understanding: 59 per cent of companies across the region say they would consider increasing a salary offer to attract someone who has the ability to use applications such as email, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and the internet.
And most south east businesses (88 per cent) would ask about a job applicant’s ability to use a computer - 72 per cent say these skills are a ‘must’ for all employees.
Outside the workplace, 38 per cent of people say being computer literate saves them money on bills and shopping and more than a quarter (26 per cent) say it helps them assist the kids with homework.
LearnDirect regional spokesman Malcolm Ming said: “A large majority of jobs now need staff who know how to use computers, so it’s crucial people aren’t left behind as IT becomes central to working life.”