The technology skills shortage is expected to be filled by more than 70,000 workers from occupations outside the sector, according to sectors skills council e-Skills UK.

The organisation says that from the end of 2007 to 2012, there is a need for 141,300 new entrants into IT and telecoms professional occupations.

Fifty per cent (700,900) will enter from unrelated occupations every year up to 2012 and their average age will be 35, and 35 per cent will be female. Women will make up 18 per cent of all entrants.

Some 19 per cent will come from education while the rest will join from other routes, such as career breaks, early retirement or long-term unemployment.