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Information and Communications Technology

ICT includes... the reproduction and manufacture of computer media, TV's, radio transmitters etc, telecommunications, hardware consultancy, software consultancy and supply, data processing, database activities, and maintenance and repair.

Overview

The South West has a long history of technology innovation and combined with a modern communications infrastructure it makes the region the choice location for world class Information Communication Technology (ICT) companies. In 2007, there were 11,112 ICT businesses and 55,800 employees in the sector.

The South West of England Regional Development Agency recognises the ICT industry as a key sector and is supportive of its projected growth. The South West region has significant research and development capabilities, skills availability, rapid transport connections, illustrious academic knowledge transfer and effective networking opportunities to support the sector. The South West has strengths in wireless communications, photonics, semiconductors, software and supercomputing and grid Environments (click here for further details on the sector profile).

ICT research activities are centred in Higher Education Institutions at Bath, Bournemouth, Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth and the West of England; and, businesses are supported through flexible and innovative incubation centres across the region (click here for more details).

Type and location of work

The following key facts about the ICT sector were drawn from the Annual Business Inquiry which is a survey that collects employment and financial information from businesses.

The Annual Business Inquiry data shows both the number of businesses in the sector and the number of employees.

In 2007:

There were 11,112 ICT businesses in the South West.
The majority of these businesses (11,035) had fewer than 100 employees.
Only 77 businesses had 100 or more employees.
The sector employed some 55,800 employees (2.5% of the South West workforce).

The main sub-sectors in terms of employee numbers were:

Software consultancy and supply (21,300 employees).
Telecommunications industry (15,200 employees).
Other computer related activities (7,800 employees).
Data processing (3,100 employees).

The main sub-sectors in terms of number of businesses were:

Software consultancy and supply (5,888 businesses).
Other computer related activities (2,993 businesses).
Telecommunications (583 businesses).
Hardware consultancy (580 businesses).

The top Local Authority Areas (LAs), in terms of numbers of ICT businesses located within them, include: Gloucestershire (1,698 businesses); Wiltshire (1,332 businesses); City of Bristol (1,172 businesses), and, Devon (1,074 businesses).

Summaries of the key industry facts for these LAs are shown below:

Gloucestershire: 99% of businesses (1,686) had less than 100 employees. The main industries in this LA were software consultancy and supply (952 businesses) and, other computer related activities4 (468 businesses).
Wiltshire: 99% of businesses (1,323) had less than 100 employees. The main industries in this LA were software consultancy and supply (670 businesses) and, other computer related activities4 (378 businesses).
City of Bristol: 99% of businesses (1,159) had less than 100 employees. The main industries in this LA were software consultancy and supply (663 businesses) and, other computer related activities4 (302 businesses).
Devon: 99% of ICT businesses (1,064) in this sub region had less than 100 employees. The main industries in this LA were software consultancy and supply (490 businesses) and, other computer related activities4 (307 businesses).

Major employers

Click here to view the major ICT employers in the South West.

(Simply tick the 'Information and Communications Technology' box under 'Industry sector' and hit 'search'. This will bring up many of the major ICT employers in the region)

Job roles in this sector

Explore job roles... in ICT.

Search for jobs now!

E-skills UK offers specialised careers information and advice on working in the ICT sector.

Skills deficits

Skills deficits are normally understood as either a skills shortage where there are hard to fill vacancies resulting from a lack of skills, qualifications or experience in applicants, or as a skills gap referring to employees that are not proficient at their current job. Sometimes a sector will report the skills deficits specifically as a skills shortage and/or as a skills gap, these are highlighted where available.

Skills gaps or shortages provide opportunities for graduates to fill! Talk to your tutor or careers service about how you can develop skills that are in short supply to give yourself the edge in the job market.

In 2008 e-skills, the Sector Skills Council for Business and Information Technology, conducted an e-skills employers needs survey of 3,026 businesses. It found that 22% of UK businesses experienced difficulties in attracting applicants with the right IT skills.

Roles that prove most difficult to fill include: