Many Firms Forgo Non-Technical IT Training Skills such as project management, leadership and communication may be critical for the next generation of information technology (IT) managers, but many employees are not receiving formal education in these areas, according to a survey conducted for Menlo, Calif.,-based Robert Half Technology.

Nearly half (47 percent) of chief information officers (CIOs) polled said their companies do not provide IT professionals with instruction in business and communication fundamentals.

Managers faced with an immediate need for technology expertise and limited budgets for professional development often decide to support technical training rather than invest in building soft skills, which they may perceive as less critical, said Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology.

“However, instruction in business, management and communication can greatly enhance a team’s productivity, as well as its ability to collaborate on solving everyday challenges such as improving efficiency and competitiveness,” she pointed out.

Lee said employers should not only support non-technical training through internal programs or tuition reimbursement for external courses, but also provide staff with the time and resources to take advantage of education opportunities. For example, projects might be reassigned to allow an employee to attend a business-writing seminar.

The national poll included responses from more than 1,400 CIOs from a random sample of U.S. companies with 100 or more employees.

Employees Want Managers to Stand Up for Them

To be a good communicator, a manager’s actions should speak louder than words, according to a survey. Twenty-eight percent of workers polled said their bosses could be more effective by standing up for their staff when needed.

An independent research firm conducted the survey for OfficeTeam, a staffing service organization specializing in administrative professionals. The survey included responses from 571 employees.

“Most employees expect their managers to have solid communication skills to assign projects and keep the department running smoothly,” said Diane Domeyer, executive director of OfficeTeam. “However, more subtle behaviors can also enhance the work experience. The best employees want someone who will be their advocate.”

Domeyer said that communicating with staff — and on their behalf — plays a vital role in building job satisfaction.

“Managers who promote employees’ viewpoints, support their staff and limit the impact of office politics show they value and respect their team members,” she said. “In leading by example, they not only encourage staff to develop similar skills but also promote a more positive corporate culture.”

Putting a lid on office politics was cited by 24 percent of respondents as a way for employers to improve communication, and 22 percent of respondents said talking less and listening more would improve communication.

Few Workers See Offshoring As Risk To Their Own Jobs

While 85 percent of U.S. workers believe offshoring has a negative impact on the U.S. economy, less than 10 percent of workers are strongly concerned that their own jobs are in danger of being sent overseas, according to a survey by Watson Wyatt.

Only 8 percent of respondents said they were strongly concerned that their own jobs were at risk, while 22 percent were concerned to some extent and 69 percent were not at all concerned.

Thirteen percent of respondents in professional and technical roles are strongly concerned their job may be sent overseas, while only 7 percent of senior managers and supervisors express similar feelings.

“Although American workers, in general, are very concerned about the impact of offshoring on the economy, they apparently have little concern offshoring will affect them personally,” said Bruce Pfau, national practice director for organization effectiveness for Watson Wyatt. “Nevertheless, the degree of this confidence seems to vary somewhat by job role.”

Employers Hiring More College Grads

Employers expect to hire 13 percent more new college graduates in 2004-05 than they hired in 2003-04, according to a survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

“This is a good indication that the job market for new college graduates is back on track,” said Marilyn Mackes, executive director of NACE. “In fall 2003, employers also projected an increase in college hiring, after a few years of cutbacks. The current survey’s positive projections reinforce that college hiring is headed in the right direction.”

More than 61 percent of employers responding to NACE’s survey reported that they expect to hire more new college graduates in 2004-05 than they hired in 2003-04. Nearly 23 percent said they would hold hiring even with last year, and slightly less than 16 percent said they plan to cut back on college hiring.

Manufacturing-sector employers project a 12.9 percent increase in hiring this year, compared with a 3.4 percent increase last year. Service-sector employers project a 12.1 percent increase in college hiring.

By region, the Midwest leads with an expected 26.4 percent increase in college hiring, but all regions reported a positive outlook for 2004-05 graduates, according to the report. Employers in the Northeast and West both predict a 14.9 percent increase, and employers in the South expect to increase their number of college hires by 5.9 percent.