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Teens losing interest in IT
Computing A-Levels falling out of favour?

By Natasha Lomas

Published: Friday 15 August 2008

Don't expect a home-grown solution to the UK's tech skills crisis any time soon - this year's A-Level results show the number of candidates taking IT-related subjects continues to decline.

The figures show 5,068 people sat the computing A-Level this year, compared to 5,610 in 2007 - with 16.1 per cent achieving an A grade which is a slight increase on 2007 when 15.6 per cent got the top grade.

The largest proportion of this year's candidates (22.4 per cent) achieved a Grade C - as was the case back in 2007.

When broken down by gender, girls did marginally better than boys - with 17.9 per cent achieving an A in computing, compared to 15.9 per cent of boys. Far more males than females took the exam, however - 4,588 to 480 - suggesting male gender bias in IT is set to continue.

Meanwhile, 12,277 male and female candidates sat the ICT A-Level - compared to 13,360 last year - with 9.7 per cent achieving an A grade, up fractionally on 2007 when 9.5 per cent got the top grade. The ICT exam was sat by 7,607 boys and 4,670 girls but females again performed better - with 13.2 per cent getting an A compared to 7.6 per cent of the men.

Earlier this year, IT industry skills body e-skills UK's CEO, Karen Price, called for a radical overhauling of IT teaching in schools, claiming it is putting kids off a career in technology.

Academic qualifications are not the be all and end all when it comes to a career in tech, according to IT training company CompuTeach - which says employers value IT specific qualifications that are relevant to current market conditions.

Darren O'Connell, careers consultant at CompuTeach, said in a statement: "While a degree in Computer Science, for example, will show a commitment to the subject and a high-level of technical knowledge, it may not differentiate an individual in a market that demands current and relevant skills."

O'Connell said while public sector organisations often require degree educated candidates, employees in private enterprise are likely to need an industry recognised qualification in addition to any academic record.

He added: "It is the ability to communicate with customers, to solve problems and to understand business needs that will set you apart. These skills are fundamental whether you enter the workplace at 16, after A-levels or with a degree and there are opportunities at all levels."

Although fewer people opted to sit the computing or ICT at A-Level this year, it was a different story for mathematics - with maths and further maths both showing a healthy rise in candidate numbers.