Coding is key to creating a resilient UK economy
For National Coding Week 2023, Professor Rachid Hourizi MBE of the Institute of Coding argues greater attention should be paid to developing the nation’s digital…
Digital Skills Gap
What is the digital skills gap
The gap between the demand and supply of workers with the digital skills sought by employers.
Why is there a digital skills gap?
There is a shortage of qualified digital professionals in the workforce, changes in the job role, industry standards that require re-training, or fast-moving trends. This is due to several factors, including the availability of digital skills programmes.
Statistics
- In 2017, the European Commission estimated that more than 1.2 million UK businesses are underperforming due to “insufficient digital awareness and lack of necessary skills”
- A 2022 workforce study highlighted an estimated shortage of 3.43 million cyber security professionals globally, up 25% from 2021
How can we fix it?
- Businesses need to invest in training their employees on new technologies
- Having a continued focus on integration of digital skills within other subjects
- Government policies that support the development of the digital workforce. For example, providing financial incentives for businesses to train their employees on new technologies
Prescribing Success – How Professional Apprenticeships Can Help Deliver the NHS’s Future Workforce
In this article, Nichola discusses the NHS workforce transformation plan to have 1 out of 6 staff trained through apprenticeships in the next five years.…
Almost 60% feel they’ve been denied a promotion due to lack of digital skills
58 per cent believe they’ve been denied a promotion due to lack of digital skills, according to research from strategic talent solutions partner FDM Group.…
What happens if we don’t reach net zero by 2050?
To enable us to meet Net Zero we need to transform the way we build, but the UK construction sector is poorly equipped to meet…
Will AI make tests and exams more inclusive? FE Soundbite 708
Welcome to Soundbite Edition 708, 19th August 2023, this week was results day (part 1)… so we thought we’d title this week’s FE Soundbite: Will…
How Sky is tackling the digital skills challenge
The risk of people being excluded from developing digital skills is a key reason why Sky runs its Sky Up programme. The initiative gives people…
Empowering our younger generations with digital skills
In this article, Elizabeth Anderson highlights the pressing need to equip younger generations with essential digital skills and access in today’s technology-driven world, outlining the…
Data skills and human qualities go hand in hand
As the UK bids to be a world leader in the tech sector, it is important that the workforce’s skills are supported throughout education, with…
AI’s Future, Saving the Skills System, and FE Sector Insights: Soundbite Edition 706
Welcome to Soundbite Edition 706, 5th August 2023, brought to you by Finley, Holly & Danielle. This is the weekly e-newsletter and e-journal brought to…
Further Education in the UK Needs a Reboot
Hadi Moussa, Managing Director (EMEA) at Coursera, discusses how flexible learning models are essential to bridge the digital skills gap and prepare the UK to…