Fourfold rise in GCSE data students

fourfold rise in gcse data studentsThose tossing and turning in bed about the looming skills shortage in the data industry can sleep a little easier following a fourfold increase in the the number of students studying computer science at GCSE this year.
Figures released by the Joint Council for Qualifications show 16,773 students sat the computer science GCSE exam in 2014, compared with 4,253 in 2013.
Both genders witnessed a rise, with males up from 3,640 in 2013 to 14,205 in 2014, and females increasing from just 613 in 2013 to 2,568 in 2014.
The computer science GCSE has been endorsed by industry experts – including the Chartered Institute for IT – while schools reform minister Nick Gibb said pupils and parents can feel confident the exam system is working in their favour.
“The GCSE subjects they are taking are those most valued by colleges, employers and universities, and will help young people to succeed in modern Britain,” he said.
“An exams system had developed that worked against the best efforts of teachers and the best interests of pupils. These results show our plan for education is correcting that,” Gibb said.
Meanwhile Melissa Di Donato, vice-president of ISV and OEM programs for Europe and Asia-Pacific at Salesforce.com, told one technology website: “Successful, well-rounded companies need to draw from the entire workforce – and training and education is the necessary first step to creating that skilled workforce. This broad focus will help to enhance the industry in its current state and create a wave of new role models for generations to come.”

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