We have the most techie generation of kids ever, with many youngsters knowing how to type, plug or print before they can properly walk. Yet the numbers of students opting to study IT at school is continuing to drop.

What is even more worrying is that the dwindling number of students who actually do go on to study IT at university count for one of the highest unemployment rates across all degree subjects in 2007. Yet there are jobs out there needing to be filled.

So if there is so much panic of a skills crisis across the IT industry, why is it those who do leave university with a qualification in IT, often don’t go into a job in IT, or have no job at all?

If we take a look at the popular university subjects it is clear to see that many students now chose non-technology subjects such as business studies. Possibly they are not sure which career path they will choose when they leave university - after all, who knows what will be in demand in four years time - and they are sensibly looking for a good all-round degree.

Of course, although students may not be aware of this yet, employers know that you are likely to get further in most industries if you are strong in communication, teamwork, and attention to detail. The specifics of a degree subject, such as IT, shouldn’t detract from these, which are character attributes as much as skills, but can be considerably enhanced with education.

A non-technical degree can be just as valuable as an IT, mathematics or science one, if it teaches graduates self-discipline, team working and cognitive skills. A musician, for instance, has already proved that they can read and write code, work in a team, and will have manual dexterity which will hold them in very good stead in IT. With blurred boundaries between technical and non-technical roles, the softer skills are becoming necessary much earlier in IT careers.

It is excellent to see some response from the government with the new IT management for business (ITMB) degree, which is on offer at 13 universities throughout the UK.

Most shortcomings in new recruits are not technical in nature and this degree is designed, I think, to jump-start students into an IT/business environment, critical now because so many of the traditional career development routes are blocked by outsourcing. The syllabus will allow pupils to develop a sound knowledge of the essential elements of business IT, while acquiring practical and problem solving skills. Many courses will also incorporate a year’s business placement.

Although this degree has only been running for just over a year, it would be interesting to see what results it has begun to yield. Could it be the answer to the skills crisis that  has been looming over us? We’ll probably start to see the answer to this when the universities start phoning round for placements in 2009.  If it’s going to be a success, the undergraduates should go like hotcakes.