IT training and qualifications are going through a period of "unprecedented growth" according to the British Computer Society (BCS).
The society believes that the threat of off-shoring and new skill sets needed by employers have contributed to demand.
BCS chief executive David Clarke said that the industry is changing 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," he said.
The society reports that its certified foundation and practitioner courses in IT Service Management have increased by 100% and 44% respectively over the last 12 months.
Other areas of growth are software testing, where demand for its related qualifications has grown by nearly 20% and businesses systems development - up by 44%.
In turn this desire for professional recognition has led to a 20% upsurge in membership of the BCS in just over 12 months - the largest in its near 50 year history – with member numbers now beyond 50,000.
Clarke commented: "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."
