IT sector skills body e-Skills UK has launched a consultation on the future of IT skills to feed into its five-year strategic plan.

The consultation will focus on five key objectives, designed to improve the appeal of the sector and develop better education and business leadership.

Collaboration across the sector is integral to e-Skills' plan, said chief executive Karen Price.

"Our job is to unite employers, educators and government to ensure the UK has the technology-related skills it needs to compete in the global economy," she said.

"Effective partnerships are central to achieving this, and we value input from everyone with insight and views on the subject.

"This will help us to create a strategic plan which has widespread support and can make the biggest impact on UK productivity and competitiveness."

The organisation will also be seeking views on ways to address issues such as the gender imbalance in the sector and optimising the use of public funding for training.

The five objectives for the strategic plan are:

Sector attractiveness: Improve the appeal of the diverse range of careers in IT and telecoms, attracting talented men and women from all walks of life.

Education: Ensure technology-related education in schools, colleges and universities supports the future needs of the UK in the global economy.

Workforce development: Encourage investment in the development of the IT and telecoms workforce to achieve the skills mix needed for global leadership.

Business leaders: Improve the ability of organisations in all sectors to derive business benefit from technology by increasing the strategic technology skills of business leaders and managers.

IT user skills: Ensure all individuals can develop the IT user skills they need for employment and social inclusion.

More details of the consultation are available at the e-Skills web site at www.e-skills.com/strategy