A new poll reveals that 40% of people think IT pros are 'techie geeks' with no social skills or social lives.

GCS, the IT recruitment specialists, suggest that this negative image could be one of the main reasons why the industry is failing to attract new talent.

Of those polled, 12% thought that IT is a male dominated industry, with 17% saying that IT is a boring subject.

"It seems we still have a long way to go before the message becomes clear”, says Chris Bartlett, GCS' managing director. "The IT industry needs to take significant and swift action now to make the necessary changes to avoid a serious shortage of staff and ensure profitable growth in the future.

"It's a common misconception that the IT industry is full of 'techie geeks' working in back offices, when in fact the reality is that it’s now much more diverse. Part of the challenge is creating a balanced image to attract the right candidates."

Worryingly, GCS also found that 31% thought IT was a hard profession to get into. "This actually couldn't be further from the truth. It’s a common misconception but the truth is that the industry is actually now opening its doors to people from all walks of life," explains Bartlett. IT businesses now hope to pull candidates into IT roles with promises of high income and less competition for jobs, but they must take more action to promote this fact and dispel the myth.

"The UK's IT industry should make small changes now, which could impact the skills shortage. For example, by working with a local school or college you could offer students career advice or actively promote careers in IT, so girls as well as boys are clear on the opportunities a career in IT can present. This could be a great way of tapping into the local talent pool. Even if budgets and resources are small, companies can work with a local school or college by offering work experience or career workshops. This will in turn bring new talent into the industry and will demonstrate passion for driving diversity," concludes Bartlett.