A new survey commissioned by Vanson Bourne for Netg, has revealed that a large number of UK companies are ignoring the training needs of their IT managers. Nearly 50% of the 1000 IT managers questioned had received no training in leadership, communication or team building skills in the last 12 months. With non-IT skills becoming increasingly important in order for IT professionals to do their jobs effectively, these findings should make uncomfortable reading for UK plc.

The study questioned over 1000 IT Managers across a wide range of industries, including retail, finance and manufacturing and the absence of non-IT skills training was evident throughout. In addition to nearly 50% of respondents receiving no professional skills training in the last 12 months, 28% had experienced three days or less, and only 24% had received more than three days.

"The research results demonstrate that companies are failing to recognise the value of non-IT training to both staff and company progression", said Kevin Withnall, Vanson Bourne. "Today's IT managers can't afford just to be technical experts. They need to be able to communicate with everybody in the organisation, from the receptionist to the CEO. That means non-IT skills are vital. UK plc needs to realise that technology is no good without somebody to communicate its importance to everyone that comes into contact with it. These findings should act as a wake-up call to IT managers, training managers and company boards alike."