A MASSIVE demand by businesses in York for staff with computer skills is not being met, a new survey has revealed.

The sample was commissioned by learndirect, the online learning provider which questioned 27 firms and 153 staff in the city.

It found that 70 per cent of companies across York would consider increasing a salary offer to attract someone who has the ability to use applications such as email, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and the internet.

When recruiting, all businesses questioned in York said they asked about applicants’ ability to use a computer, and 60 per cent said these skills were a must for all employees.

Staff in the city also saw computer literacy as vital – 40 per cent considering it one of the most important skills for their job. Despite this, more than half (52 per cent) of workers were not fully confident in their ability to use IT.

More widely in York, people struggled with a number of common IT terms: forty-five per cent did not understand the meaning of the term “mail merge”; 14 per cent did not know what was meant by a “web page” or “download”; 11 per cent could not explain what the “internet” was.

The survey underlines that everyday IT skills can help people earn more money, keep an existing job or get a new one. Yet many people still needed to bring their computer knowledge up to scratch.

Charlotte Furbisher, regional performance director for learndirect in Yorkshire, said: “The research shows how important IT has become in workplaces across York. A large majority of jobs now need staff who know how to use computers, so it’s crucial people aren’t left behind as IT becomes central to working life.

“learndirect offers flexible qualifications to help people improve their everyday IT skills whether they’re looking for a new job, want to get on in their current one or simply want to know how to do more with a home computer. “Our qualifications fit around learners’ lives, and our friendly advisers are on hand to offer support.”

Outside the workplace, 34 per cent of people in York say being computer literate saves them money on bills and shopping and nearly a third (32 per cent) say it helps them assist children with homework.

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