Wasted chances

Canadian-based tech giant CGI has warned that Scotland is facing an IT skills shortage unless more is done to teach young children in schools and colleges about technology.

CGI has been named as preferred bidder on a £186 million contract with Edinburgh Council. It is expected to create more than 200 jobs but Tim Gregory, its British president, concedes it will have to rely on people from other parts of the UK and Europe. A whole 200.

It has emerged that the number of students taking IT courses at Scotland’s colleges has plunged by more than half from 45,900 in 2009/10 to 21,800 in 2014. A whole 21,800.

The political hypocrisy of the SNP is criminal. The commercial future for Scotland is considerably undermined and the treatment of the younger generation is appalling.

Jimmy Armstrong

Abergeldie Road

Ballater