Press Release

British Computer Society Membership Hits 50,000 as IT Sector Clamours for Professional Recognition

1 September 2005 

A twenty per cent upsurge in membership in just over 12 months - the largest in its near 50 year history - has been reported by the IT profession's British Computer Society. Member numbers have now passed the 50,000 mark as more UK IT practitioners appreciate the career advantages of professional recognition and chartered status.

This growth in BCS membership is easy to identify says BCS chief executive David Clarke: "The UK IT profession is currently battling against the threat of offshoring of traditional IT skills on one hand while striving to meet the demands for new skills sets from employers on the other. Professional IT system design and implementation as well as software testing and security challenges have all created major employment opportunities for those with the right new skills and professional qualifications. This in turn has created an enormous upsurge for the status and recognition that BCS membership affords."  

An unprecedented growth in demand for IT training and qualification products has also been reported by the BCS as the nation's IT profession seeks to establish new skills sets to further their edge in a fragmented recruitment market. In particular, demand for the BCS's certified foundation and practitioner courses in IT Service Management have increased by 100 per cent and 44 per cent respectively over the last 12 months. Other areas which are enjoying growth are software testing, where demand for its related qualifications has grown by nearly 20 per cent and businesses systems development - up by 44 per cent.

David Clarke is adamant why the profession is seeking to retrain fast:  "The Society's view is that there has suddenly been a huge growth in expectation from the UK IT profession, following a period of disillusionment in the wake of numerous high profile IT project failures and programme overspends; this means that only the true professional will now advance.

"Things are therefore changing fast. Reskilling is the order of the day while professional accreditation is also being sought, exemplified by the 1000 new members that the Society is currently recruiting every month.

"The BCS has led a long standing campaign to improve the quality and standing of IT professionals and is already achieving significant success, particularly through its CITP membership grade. This is now being hailed as the first radical step to put the IT Profession on par with other chartered professions such as engineers, architects and lawyers."

For further information contact:
Christopher Webb
Press Officer
The British Computer Society
Tel: 01793 417606
Email: press@hq.bcs.org.uk