SCOTT WRIGHT

COMPANIES have been urged to look beyond job candidates’ technical skills when recruiting for IT staff.

The plea, from specialist IT recruitment firm Cathcart Associates, comes after a survey found nearly one-third (31 per cent) of graduates entering the digital sector come from non-computing backgrounds, such as design, business and physical sciences. The survey, carried out for the Digital Technologies Skills Group, led to suggestions Scotland has a “hidden pipeline” of IT talent.

Cathcart’s joint managing director Gordon Kaye said: “It’s important for employers to keep an open mind when recruiting for digital roles given the continuing shortage of people with high-level digital skills.”