One of the biggest problems and barriers that exists is the lack of knowledge in government, and that of the previous government regarding technology and computing. I mean Labour were sold an atrocious IT system for the nhs, because nobody that agreed the contract understood the logistics.As a web designer, i could have sold any tinpot computing/IT solution to any council, government department etc as most don't know anything about it. I have learnt basic car mechanics, so i don't get ripped off by mechanics!

Computer programming and computer languages should be taught as stand alone subjects at gcse level. Forget word processing and spreadsheets etc- you have to learn that stuff anyway as part of everyday life or for study.

This government needs to get some top uk computer graduates together and ask them what will be required for technology in future. This must tehen be taught from a young age.

Computing uses maths, science, sociology, and language systems. We must not be left behind, because the people in charge of education don't understand the subject. In fact for once i'd say create a new department- 'technology'.

If they can't find staff, they aren't looking hard enough.

There's a complete lack of analysis by employers when considering candidates. They see programmer or project manager as a description of the last position that a candidate was doing and assume that they can't do anything else.

In my experience, experienced staff with IT in their background are more than capable of successfully doing a wide of jobs, usually without any additional training. Most IT project managers have strong skills in man management, budget control, business analysis and transformation and many other general business skills.

Often employers aren't best served by agencies who tend to use automated tools to scan CV's for key words and don't take the time to really understand what skills the employer wants as opposed to just trying to fill a position by job title.

Employers - really skilled, experinced staff are out there if you are willing to think outside of your normal box.

Espiritdave,
very good point re recruiting agencies. The vast majority are appalling charlatans that provide only a way round employment law.
When large employers pay them large amounts of money to recruit for permanent or fixed term positions I find it astonishing. Most have very little expertise if any

It doesn't surprise me that there's a lack of enthusiasm for IT roles among graduates and a shortage of more experienced managers. The trend to off-shore IT shops (e.g. India) in the past weveral years has left many UK IT technologists with little to do but manage overseas staff. This may suit some who see management as the next step in their career, but it is not what many IT practitioners want. Strange as it may seem, IT techies are drawn to the field by the technical challenges not the prospect of managing remote IT sweatshops.