Nearly two-thirds of SMEs find it difficult to find workers with the right technology skills, according to new research.

The same study by education technology providers IDEAS Bus found that one in three small businesses say tech needs are growing but there aren't enough skilled workers to fill the gap, revealing a significant gap between the recruitment needs of the UKs SME and the abilities of British graduates.

According to the survey, 61 per cent of small businesses find it difficult to find workers with the right technology skills to fill vacancies, with 42 per cent saying that they don't have the time or resources to train people on the job.

The research also found that 37 per cent of small business owners complained that their technology needs are growing but there aren't enough skilled workers to fill the gap, while 23 per cent of small businesses claim that a lack of technically capable employees is causing them to lose working hours.

Among the most sought after employees in the last 12 months were programmers, web developers and coders, while app developers are predicted to be in most demand over the next 12 months.

IDEAS Bus founder Casey Farquharson said: "I've worked in business, education and tech for many years and it's true that technology has come on at a surprisingly rapid pace in the last decade - no wonder many businesses are struggling to keep up.

"Unfortunately, there are many demands on UK educational establishments, meaning that teachers often lack the time to keep up with the technology which would give their pupils the edge when they move from education into employment.

"We launched IDEAS Bus in order to help bridge that gap. Our big yellow bus takes technology into schools so that teachers can stay in touch with both the advances of the tech industry and the needs of the business world.

"If we can help our kids to learn about what is needed in the business world today, they'll go on to make the amazing tech advances of tomorrow.

"Britain used to be world business leaders. With the right education, our children can see to it that we are again."

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