FEATURE: RECRUITMENT
Doing more with less: why your IT manager recruitment strategy really matters
Although investing and revamping an IT team and/or strategy can seem daunting and costly, in the long-term, investing in in-house or managed IT services in schools is also cost effective. Many IT providers offer flexible options so schools can pay only for what they use and need. Put simply, for smaller educational establishments remote IT support can often be more cost effective that recruiting an additional in-house member of staff. For government-funded schools, it is also essential they are well equipped to maintain IT and security standards that are up to date to receive additional government funding that is reliant on schools supplying evidence of their commitment to high standards of security and IT. Take Cyber Essentials as an example, many schools are now investing in this government backed scheme to gain certifications and accreditations around IT and Cyber security in their school.
With budgets under increasing scrutiny and schools often needing to do more with less, having the right technology, people, and partners in place is key.
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n our first feature this month looking at the many facets of education recruitment, Ben Welton, Education and Managed Services Director of IT Services, Sharp UK, explains how to overcome the challenges of recruiting good IT staff for your school.
Despite recent high-profile redundancies at large technology companies, demand for those with IT skills has never been higher, with vacancies for IT Managers and Directors across all sectors in the UK.
The demand is particularly noticeable in the education sector, where there is an ongoing challenge to recruit IT professionals to support schools and other educational institutions with their growing digital demands.
Schools are seeking to attract IT Manager talent in a market where the unemployment rate for IT professionals is just three percent. Despite heavy investment in the latest technologies, recruitment challenges remain.
In some schools there is also an imbalance among existing teams with the skills they currently have, and the skills required to make the most of new technology and build a defence against increasing IT and Cyber threats. The BBC recently revealed that fourteen schools in the UK have had confidential documents leaked online by hackers.
Schools are also under pressure to keep abreast with moving targets when it comes to IT security and threats. All while looking to secure additional funds in a landscape of cuts.
Why your IT Manager recruitment strategy is key
With new, improved, and advanced technology, schools now have an ever-growing reliance and need for IT within the classroom. This means schools have more options than ever to choose where their IT support comes from. Whether
that’s hiring internally, outsourcing or a mix of both, the benefit of having an experienced IT manager or partner on board means that it will be easier for schools to meet changing technology needs and protect themselves from Cyber security threats. That is all in addition, to supporting their staff and pupils effectively, allowing them to focus on what matters most - learning.
However, when recruiting for an in-house IT manager it can be challenging for schools to know what they need. Without having the specialist knowledge of IT themselves, even creating the job description can be a challenge. What’s more, the IT sector is continually evolving, and schools need to be in touch with these changes to find the right fit candidate. Put simply, it will be a struggle to find a box ticking candidate without knowing the boxes they need to fill. Schools should however not be concerned, because they have options. They can explore multiple strategies when it comes to their IT recruitment.
For example, having an in-house IT manager guarantees support that is consistent and at their disposal, putting schools at a state of readiness for any issues that could arise. In comparison, schools can also opt for outsourced IT support and/or bolt on support for their existing IT team. Outsourced IT support from managed services providers also offers the additional benefits of experience, flexibility, consultancy, roadmaps, and emergency support.
Each recruitment strategy has its trade-offs, but with more advanced tech comes more threats. Schools should therefore consider how well prepared they are for IT and Cyber threats now and in the future.
Reaping the rewards
Along with recruitment issues schools are also facing challenges when it comes to funds.
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www.education-today.co.uk March 2023 Preventative protection
When it comes to IT and security in schools it’s ultimately about reducing risk. Cyber security breaches hurt both your reputation and balance sheets.
Risk can be reduced by putting measures in place to reduce reliance on just one IT manager and building relationships with partners who are trained, up to date with the latest trends and on hand to support.
Preventative protection is also about providing the right training to equip pupils and staff in spotting Cyber security threats. Schools need to invest in training and learning resources when it comes to topics like phishing, ransomware, staying safe online and passwords. A knowledgeable IT Manager and partner will be able to provide end-user training, resources, and advice to your first line of defence – your team. However, keeping secure is still a multi-layered approach. Whether that’s disaster recovery or endpoint security, it is critical schools are recruiting knowledgeable in-house IT managers or outsourcing to knowledgeable partners to help them continually improve their IT and reduce the risk of data losses.
Next steps
To outsource or recruit for in-house is the question. In making such a decision, schools need to consider their recruitment abilities, in-house knowledge, and resource availability to name a few. Whichever recruitment strategy is chosen, it needs to be a long-term and flexible solution, not a quick fix, benefiting the greater good of the school.
It’s time to get the right resources and people in place to help schools do more with less, all while keeping your staff and pupils secure.
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