Scots lag in hi-tech literacy league

Published:   18th Jan 2011, 10:49

Computer literacy amongst Scots needs to be drastically improved if the country is to match the economic recovery elsewhere in the UK.

IT and software firm Tycom reckons our lower levels of computing skills is hindering the jobs market and a sustained recovery.

In a Skills in Scotland survey, 16% of businesses owners reported that skill gaps had a major impact on their business last year, 27% of which reported a lack of basic IT skills.

Alistair Findlater, managing director of Tycom warns that there must be increased investment in IT and computing skills from the government and employers.

According to a report by Future Skills Scotland, Scots are also less likely to say that the internet is an important day-to-day tool in the workplace.

The Tycom boss said: “We have a big job to do in bridging the computer literacy gap.”