LONDON – 3rd March 2008 – Research launched today from database experts FileMaker reveals that a new generation of IT literate workers are entering the workplace with business oriented IT application skills but find they are unable to use these skills on the job.

The research surveyed 1,000 recent school leavers or graduates who are in the early stages of employment and highlights that while IT confidence of new recruits has never been better, employers are not using these skills from the outset. UK businesses could benefit from a better understanding of how to capitalise on technology and the skills of this new generation of IT confident employees.

The FileMaker 'Graduate IT Skills' report found:

* IT skills confidence high amongst school leavers: 82 per cent of respondents between 16 – 18 years felt confident in general IT skills for the workplace.

* IT is second nature to the young workforce who are comfortable with IT, and view technology as a creative tool: Respondents cite 62 per cent of their time is spent using a computer on the job. 51 per cent actively use technology to be creative in their work and a further 51 per cent sampled thought about creative ways to use technology at work, suggesting a very positive view of IT and its benefits.

* School leavers in early employment are not given the opportunity to use the software packages they learnt during education: As an example, 85 per cent of those surveyed learnt to use PowerPoint software but only 39 per cent reported using it at work. A further 88 per cent learnt to use spreadsheet software but only 65 per cent use it as part of their job.

"Many businesses – particularly SMEs – don't understand the hidden IT talent they have within their organisations, nor do they understand the power that IT can have to transform their business," said Tony Speakman, regional manager, Northern Europe, FileMaker. "This generation has grown up IT savvy and educators have done a good job ensuring that they have the skills to take into the workplace. These new recruits are then shocked to find that once they actually gain employment they don't have the opportunity to use all of the skills that they have mastered. Businesses need to wise up and tap into the knowledge and enthusiasm this generation has to offer. If they don't fully understand how to utilise the capabilities of this skilled workforce they will suffer in the long run."

Businesses also missing a trick in IT training

The research also revealed that employees are not receiving formal or course delivered training across all applications used in an organisation. Only 12 per cent of respondents received formal training in database software compared to 49 per cent receiving on-the-job or unstructured training.

Encouragingly, 72 per cent of respondents cited that they felt they know more now than they did at school or university. However the data from the report indicates that new recruits are largely learning workplace IT in an unstructured manner.

"Businesses today appear to be satisfied in letting their employees 'wing it' when it comes to learning new applications on the job," said Speakman. "Typically only a small proportion of functionality in any given IT package is used, yet if applications are more thoroughly understood, productivity levels go up. It's shortsighted for businesses to overlook the positive benefits of proper training in the workplace."

FileMaker advises businesses to take the following steps to help better integrate this new generation of IT literate workers into the workplace and to get the most out of IT training initiatives:

1. Audit new recruits: Implement an IT skills audit for new employees entering into the organisation. This will ensure a good understanding of IT package capabilities and will enable management to tailor job responsibilities accordingly.

2. Re-evaluate entry level job responsibilities: Today's new recruits possess IT skills that previous generations didn't have. Job specs may need to be re-aligned to capture these new skills and incorporate into day-to-day job functions. Management may be able to re-assign some responsibilities down to lower levels allowing them to focus on more strategic initiatives.

3. Understand how technology can power the business: Many organisations – particularly SMEs – do not take full advantage of the benefits that standard IT systems and packages can provide to the business. A better understanding of how appropriate technology investment can transform productivity and impact the bottom line is well worth the extra investment and training involved.

4. Invest in structured training initiatives: Unstructured training is haphazard at best. Get the most out of your IT investment and incorporate structured training programmes for employees.

For further details on the report or to request a copy of the full research please contact:

Tatiana Miller/Helen Carroll
Octopus Communications
+44 (0) 845 3700 655
filemaker@octopuscomms.net

Alternatively, please visit the FileMaker Education Centre.

About FileMaker, Inc.

FileMaker, Inc. develops award-winning database software. Its products include the legendary FileMaker Pro product line for Windows, Mac and the Web, and the new Bento personal database for Mac. FileMaker Pro won more awards, 46, than its next 8 competitors combined from 2003-2007. Millions of customers, from individuals to large organisations, rely on FileMaker, Inc. software to manage, analyse and share information. FileMaker, Inc. is a subsidiary of Apple Inc.

About FileMaker’s Survey:

The FileMaker 'Education Gap' 2008 study was conducted by Loudhouse Research, an independent research agency based in the UK, and looks at the level of IT training and development in educational establishments as well as IT use in the workplace. It explores the relationship between education leavers and the workplace they move into. The survey sample comprised of 1000 people who had left education within the last three years and are now employed. A mix of school and university graduates were sampled in the online survey which was conducted during January 2008. Additional references to data within this release and the full report can be found in the full report available on demand from Octopus Communications.