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Robert Gordon University launches regional SME ICT Skills Assessment

Robert Gordon University’s School of Computing has launched a survey to assess the Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) skills of those working in Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the Aberdeen region.

The survey, funded by Aberdeen City Council’s Economic and Business Development Service, aims to measure the current ICT skills base in this sector with the overall aim of improving and identifying where further training is needed.

A team at the university designed the bespoke survey, using the IT expertise within the commercial IT training sector of the School of Computing with the specialist knowledge in the areas of industrial interaction and skills research at the Centre for International Labour Market Studies (CIMLS).

The Centre, based at Aberdeen Business School, undertakes research and consultancy in the areas of education, training, skills, employment and local, national and international labour market policy.

Dr David Gibbons-Wood, Director of CIMLS who has published over 50 reports on regional, national and cross-national labour market analysis, comments:

“SMEs, especially new start-ups, often comprise a core team of staff who undertake a number of roles in the business. Therefore, newly-established growth businesses often lack a dedicated IT professional. The Skills Assessment is structured to provide valuable outcomes for further research and identify any possible skills gaps.”

The School of Computing aims to refine its programme of short courses in response to the findings of the Assessment that meet local SMEs’ current and future ICT skills requirements.

Dr Julian Bass, Lecturer at the School, explains:

“We are uniquely placed to support business owners and executives in newly established businesses to develop their in-house ICT capability. In addition to a range of experts with real industry experience, the School has developed a portfolio of commercial partners within the IT sector. It is hoped that through specially developed short courses we can increase the ICT skills of the city and shire.”

Gordon Wright, Project Development Executive at Aberdeen City Council, adds:

“The results from this survey will feed into a wider programme of skills audits for the City. Aberdeen City Council is developing, with partners, models to deliver enhanced infrastructures for the area, including improving technology and access, and we aim to equip SMEs with the skills needed to utilise this and provide them with the platforms required to deliver future success and growth.”

The Skills Assessment has been distributed to local SMEs by Enterprise North East Trust and Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce. Outcomes from the survey will be published in a report later this year, analysing the findings and proposing further solutions.

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