CompTIA sees the light in 2010 budget

Alistair Darling's 2010 budget should help to bolster the UK's IT industry

CompTIA has welcomed Alistair Darling's 2010 budget speech, claiming that it is good news for the IT industry.

Matthew Poyiadgi, European vice president at the trade group, identified what he believes are hidden gems in the speech that could work well for the technology industry as a whole.

"One of the most significant announcements for the rapidly growing IT industry was the extension of the Backing Young Britain initiative until March 2012. This guarantees a job, training or work experience to every young person who has been unemployed for six months," he said.

Poyiadgi believes that this is an excellent opportunity to invest in young talent for companies willing to offer experience, especially in the IT industry which traditionally finds it hard to recruit young people.

Companies willing to offer jobs and experience will have the added incentive of access to advice and financial support.

Poyiadgi argued that the more IT companies invest in young people, the more chance there is of creating an officially recognised platform of certification.

He also welcomed the chancellor's announcement of a green investment bank with £2bn of equity to fund low-carbon transport and energy schemes, and his commitment to the Digital Britain agenda and rolling out broadband across the UK.

Poyiadgi argued that this green investment could have a significant impact on the IT industry, and cited the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme which comes into force on 1 April.

This puts the onus on industry to reduce emissions, and dovetails with CompTIA's new certificate in green IT.

"The 15 per cent increase in government contracts to small to medium sized enterprises [SMEs] will have advantages on both sides," he said. "For government departments, this will mean they can break up big contracts among SMEs."

This, in turn, will offer a wider array of government contacts for SMEs that had previously been denied.

While there were not many budget surprises, and Darling's speech has already been vilified in some quarters, Poyiadgi finished on an upbeat note.

"The budget offers largely sensible measures to promote economic growth and continue the government's green agenda," he said.

"The IT industry is a vital part of modern business and, as the economy recovers and businesses grow, so too will the IT industry."