The last decade has seen huge investment in ICT for schools, with a figure approaching £5bn being dedicated to technology and innovation. And with a further £857m earmarked for schools in the next three years, Britain could in many ways be seen as leading the charge with technology in the classroom. Some 99% of schools have made the switch to broadband, and over half have interactive whiteboards in their classrooms. Add to this the incredibly successful ‘Computers for Schools initiative’, which has already benefited some 100,000 young people in the UK; we can soundly say the education sector is a thriving area of opportunities for IT professionals.
It’s often noted that the public sector has some great prospects for IT professionals and the field of education is no different. With budgets available and long-term investment planned by the Government, the education sector remains one of the few that is still actively recruiting for skilled IT workers, even in these difficult times. Educational software packages, school hardware and increased investment in school technology infrastructure present a number of job openings for both graduates and seasoned IT professionals.
In terms of breaking into the industry, education is similar to many other areas of the public sector. Having relevant experience working in education will of course give you an advantage but isn’t the be all and end all for prospective employers. Accreditations go a long way in any IT job application so highlight any that you already have or consider investing in a few relevant courses to get a few! There are several key players in the education technology market and even some that cater solely to the education sector; as such there will be opportunities available for the right candidate.
With the ever changing nature of the IT industry, so called ‘growth areas’ tend to come and go on a regular basis. However education appears to be one sector which bucks the trend, making it the place to be in IT circles.