Newport-based recruitment and training company Acorn has launched a new forum to address the issue of a growing IT skills shortage in Wales.

Acorn believes that as an industry, more must be done to tackle the problem. The company’s IT Division is bringing together leading software companies and stakeholders at its ‘Liveware’ event, to encourage collaborative working and discuss key areas for change.

The event, which is the first of its kind in Wales, is being held on Wednesday June 25 in the Village Urban Resort, Cardiff.

It will cover a variety of topics, including the IT curriculum in schools for medium and long-term workforce planning, available funding for IT apprenticeships, the new software university, an integrated approach to promoting Wales as a destination to live and work in IT and reducing geographical poaching to prevent spiraling IT salaries.

Speakers at the event include Professor Simon Gibson, chief executive, Wesley Clover Corporation, David Warrender, deputy director, Digital Wales and ICT, and Stuart Arthur, chief technology officer, Monmouthshire County Council.

The event is co-sponsored by Cwmbran-based NAGRA Media UK Ltd, a worldwide leader in delivering secure, end-to-end digital media technologies.

Dave Sadler, manager of Acorn’s IT Division, said: “By bringing together some of Wales’ leading people in this area, there is a real opportunity to consider how the issues facing the future skills requirements are viewed, and together what we as an industry, in collaboration with policy-makers can do.

“We hope that the forum will lead to positive action as we look to contribute to policy development and encourage collaboration and further dialogue among those present.”

Simon Gibson said: "The shortage of software engineers is starting to affect our ability to develop the Welsh economy. To solve this problem we are investigating a number of interventions to increase the quality and quantity of talent, including the establishment of a Software University and increasing alignment with IT companies in the region. The Liveware Forum will provide valuable advice and co-ordination for the sector."

Anyone interested in attending the Liveware Forum can find out more information at www.acornpeople.com/liveware

The Liveware event will follows the launch of the first Digital Youth Club in Newport by founder Nick Theredou. This is one of many initiatives Acorn is supporting to ensure IT skills are being developed across the country.