What about IT & Telecommunications?

IT and Telecommunications are at the core of a global revolution that has changed the way we lead our lives and irrevocably altered the way in which business is conducted.

Developments in the IT and Telecommunications industry have sparked a technological race, making it possible to download videos onto your phone and hold face to face meetings with colleagues who are on the other side of the world. There is almost no aspect of our lives that has not been affected by this industry, and new changes are still expected to come thick and fast.

The IT and telecommunications sector employs 1.2 million people in the UK, a whopping 2% of the workforce. Whilst half of IT professionals work for companies dedicated to providing IT and telecommunications services and products, the other half  are scattered in other organisations, working for technical support or IT departments. 

Typical Activities

A day in the life of an IT and telecommunications professional might include any of the following:

• creating the design, layout and coding of web pages
• installing and maintaining communication networks
• installing and supporting new software and hardware
• designing, developing, installing, testing and maintaining software applications
• designing and integrating computer-based solutions to meet business needs

Getting in

The IT & telecommunications industry is vast and always on the move, so if you want an industry that's going to require you to learn fast and adapt quickly, this might be the one for you.

From a BSc in electrical engineering and telecommunications to design orientated vocational diplomas, many qualifications are relevant when applying for the wide-ranging jobs in Telecommunications and IT. Vocational degrees such as BTECs or Diplomas can make you suitable for many technical roles.

New technologies are constantly being explored  and job opportunities throughout the country are on the increase. This is a stimulating and challenging working environment with a number of areas to move into.

Typical employers

The UK is both the third largest telecoms market in the world, and a world class innovator in ICT. Some of these success stories are:

• Vodaphone
• IBM
• Orange
• Cable & Wireless
• NTL

Outside the sector, oppportunities exist in almost every industry within IT departements.

More reading

British Computer Society

e-skills UK, the Sector Skills Council for IT and Telecoms Tel: 020 7963 8920

The Institution of Engineering and Technology