• Read the article below about problems in the IT industry, and the questions on the opposite page. • For each question (13-18),

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问题 • Read the article below about problems in the IT industry, and the questions on the opposite page.
• For each question (13-18), mark one letter (A, B, C or D) on your Answer Sheet.
                                     Problems in the IT industry
     In the information technology industry, it is widely  acknowledged  that  how  well  IT departments of the future can fulfil their business goals will depend not on the regular updating of technology, which is essential for them to do, but on how well they can hold on to the people skilled at manipulating the newest technology. This is becoming more difficult. Best estimates of the current shortfall In IT staff in the UK are between 30,000 and 50,000, and growing.
      And there is no end to the problem in sight. A severe industry-wide lack of investment in training means the long-term skills base is both ageing and shrinking.  Employers are chasing experienced staff in ever-decreasing circles, and, according to a recent government report, 250,000 new IT jobs will be created over the next decade.
     Most employers are confining themselves to dealing with the immediate problems. There is little evidence, for example, that they are stepping up their intake of raw recruits for in* house training, or retraining existing staff from other functions. This is the course of action recommended  by  the  Computer  Software Services Association, but research shows its members are adopting the short-term measure of bringing in more and more consultants on a contract basis.  However, this  approach is becoming less and less acceptable as the general shortage of skills, coupled with high demand, sends contractor rates soaring. An experienced contract programmer, for example, can now earn at least double the current permanent salary.
      With IT professionals increasingly attracted to the financial rewards and flexibility of consultancy work, average staff turnover rates are estimated to be around 15%. While many companies in the financial services sector are managing to contain their losses by offering skilled IT stall ’golden handcuffs’ - deferred loyalty bonuses that tie them in until a certain date - other organisations, like local governments, are unable to match the competitive salaries and perks on offer in the private sector and contractor market, and are suffering turnover rates of up to 60% a year.
But while loyalty bonuses have grabbed the headlines, there are other means of holding on to staff. Some companies are doing additional IT pay reviews in the year and paying market premiums. But such measures can create serious employee relations  problems  among those excluded,  both  within  and  outside  IT departments.  Many Industry experts advise employers to link bonuses to performance wherever possible.  However, employers are realising that bonuses will only succeed if they are accompanied by other incentives such as attractive  career  prospects,  training,  and challenging work that meets the individual’s long-term ambitions.
     This  means  managers  need  to  allocate assignments more strategically and think about advancing their staff as well as their business. Some employers advocate giving key employees projects that would normally be handled by people  with  slightly  more experience  or capability. For many employers, however, the urgency of the problem demands a more immediate solution, such as recruiting skilled workers from overseas. But even this is not easy, with strict quotas on the number of work permits issued.    In  addition,  opposition  to  the recruitment of IT people from other countries is growing, as many professionals believe it will lead to even less investment in training and thus a long-term weakening of the UK skills base.  
  According to the final paragraph, the UK skills base will be weakened by

选项 A、changes to managers’ strategic thinking.
B、insufficient responsibility being given to IT staff,
C、the employment of IT staff with too little experience.
D、the hiring of IT personnel from abroad.

答案D

解析
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