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Last week was National Apprenticeship Week, and with it an important issue has been raised - how we meet skills needs now and in the future.

According to the Skills Barometer produced for the Department for Employment and Learning, between 2015 and 2020 there is the potential for total employment in the ICT sector to grow by some 15,000 people.

IT is clearly a fast-growing sector with innovative businesses that are adding value to the economy, but worryingly, STEM-related subjects are the most under-supplied by skills, particularly mathematics & computer science, and engineering & technology.

Overall, the most acute skills shortage has been identified in medium level skills, which creates a demand for programmes such as higher level apprenticeships. That's where initiatives like National Apprenticeship Week come in, creating awareness and understanding of the importance of apprenticeships as a way to address skills shortages.

In the IT sector, apprenticeships can therefore play a very important role.