As demand for more agile IT systems increases, integration skills will become ever more sought after (Fitting the skills together).

However, while the need for professionals skilled in business intelligence and service-oriented architecture (SOA) projects is great, companies must be wary of neglecting their core systems.

Many of those equipped to deal with such systems are approaching retirement. If firms cannot find staff who are proficient with such hardware, and as a consequence are unable to access or keep up these systems, the results for UK businesses could be disastrous.

Although professionals with advanced integration skills are crucial to modern IT projects, the need to maintain core systems should not be underestimated.

Both businesses and government must take the initiative to provide workers with both of these skill sets, to ensure that the UK remains competitive in the global economy.

Arunn Ramadoss