Given today’s leading technology story on BBC News highlighting why alarm bells are ringing over Computing in England’s schools, with the British Computing Society warning that the number of pupils studying for a computing qualification could halve by 2020, IT security experts from Mindtree and Thales e-Security commented below.
Guita Blake, Senior VP & Head of Europe at Mindtree:
“In the midst of the fourth industrial revolution, these statistics highlight the need for a significantly greater commitment to the ‘STEM agenda’ in the UK.
Inspiring the next generation of computer experts is critical for both the future of the IT industry, and the UK economy more broadly.
“The UK education system now needs to focus on inspiring the youth of today to equip themselves with the necessary skills that will enable them to thrive in the digital economy.”
Peter Carlisle, VP EMEA at Thales e-Security:
“With cyber-attacks increasing, a decline in young people taking computer science courses in unacceptable, especially when businesses are so desperate for specialist skills and support.
“To reverse this trend, industry must do more to provide training and work experience to help encourage the next generation to pursue a career in IT, which is now the frontline against hackers.”
