Closing the Digital Skills Gap in the West Midlands
Vickie Pargetter-Garner, Director of Digital Skills and Commercial Impact at TechWM, explores the pressing digital skills shortages in the West Midlands and how businesses can help shape the future of digital skills in the region.
The Growing Demand for Digital Skills in the West Midlands
Digital skill shortages could have cost the UK £4.4 billion last year alone, with projections rising to a staggering £27.6 billion by 2030. The West Midlands is particularly affected, with increasing demand for intermediate and advanced digital skills, according to recent research from the University of Birmingham’s City-Regional Economic Development Institute (City-REDI).
While these figures are alarming, they also represent a significant economic opportunity. With the right interventions, we can bridge the gap between digital skills supply and demand, unlocking new growth and innovation across the region.
Why the Digital Skills Gap Persists
Initially, it might seem that this challenge is primarily about supply—a lack of skilled individuals entering the workforce. However, deeper exploration has revealed significant demand-side barriers preventing businesses from fully leveraging digital talent.
The pandemic accelerated digital adoption, driving demand for skills in cybersecurity, data analytics, and AI. Since then, various policy initiatives have aimed to boost digital skills, yet many remain fragmented and disconnected from real business needs.
The Business Reality: Short-Term Pressures Hindering Long-Term Growth
Despite improvements in digital talent supply, economic uncertainty and budget constraints are pushing businesses into survival mode. Many organisations are focused on immediate challenges rather than long-term digital transformation.
This short-term approach limits investment in AI, automation, and digital efficiencies that could drive productivity and profitability. Ironically, the very investments that could help businesses cut costs and gain a competitive edge are being delayed due to financial and time constraints.
The Disconnect Between Employers and Digital Talent
Employers report struggling to find the right digital talent, yet many skilled individuals—including those completing digital bootcamps—struggle to secure relevant roles. This raises key questions:
Are bootcamp programmes misaligned with business needs?
Do employers lack awareness of available training initiatives?
Are businesses hesitant to onboard talent without real-world experience?
Are resource constraints preventing businesses from investing in training?
Similarly, many businesses underutilise free or subsidised upskilling programs, even when funding is available. Understanding these barriers is crucial to designing effective interventions.
Help Shape the Future of Digital Skills in the West Midlands
To address these challenges, the West Midlands Digital Skills Consortium—a collaboration between TechWM, the West Midlands Combined Authority, IBM UK Ltd., AND Digital, In4 Group, the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, SF Technology and Skills West Midlands and Warwickshire—is launching an employer survey.
This survey aims to provide a comprehensive view of the digital skills landscape, helping us design initiatives that truly meet business needs. By combining this data with insights from previous surveys, such as the Local Skills Improvement Plan, we hope to develop a regional blueprint for digital skills growth.
Get Involved
If you’re a business leader in the West Midlands, we need your input. Take five minutes to complete our survey. Your insights will directly inform new initiatives to bridge the digital skills gap.
Together, we can build a digitally empowered West Midlands, ready to tackle today’s challenges and seize tomorrow’s opportunities. Let’s make tech succeed, in the most human of places!
Nations and Regions Programme activities
techUK champions the tech sector throughout the UK. We work with local authorities, devolved government, and local and national policy makers to advocate for the tech sector in strengthening economic growth and resilience across the nations and regions. Visit the programme page here
Local Digital Index 2024
Read our analysis of digital ecosystems across the UK in 2024.
We are thrilled to present highlights from techUK's Nations and Regions programme of work over the past year, showcasing our key achievements, valuable insights, and defining moments. This year has been marked by meaningful discussions, impactful events, and collaborative initiatives—none of which would have been possible without your engagement and support.
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
Matt is leading techUK’s work with members and stakeholders across the UK to increase the Local Digital Capital across the UK’s nation and regions, build communities and to ensure that digital technology plays a key part the post-COVID-19 levelling-up recovery.
Prior to joining techUK, Matt worked for several national education charities and membership bodies to develop their regional partnerships with schools, academy trusts, local authorities, and other stakeholders. He’s also worked with local authority leaders and other stakeholders to engage communities, work with elected members and improve public services.
He holds a BA in Politics from the University of York and an MA in International Relations from the University of Leeds. Away from work he’s a keen football fan and golfer.
If you’d like to find out more about our work in the nations and regions please get in touch with Matt:
Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Ileana Lupsa
Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Ileana Lupsa is the Programme Manager for Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, at techUK.
Ileana studied electronics, telecommunications and IT as an undergraduate, followed by an MSc in engineering and project management at Coventry University.
She refined her programme management expertise through her most recent roles working in the automotive industry.
Ileana is passionate about sustainability and creating a positive impact globally through innovation.
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie Barr
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie is the Programme Manager for SME Engagement and Nations & Regions at techUK.
Working across the two programmes, Stephanie develops activities to support the growth and development of tech SMEs and engages with members and stakeholders more broadly to help strengthen regional tech economies.
Prior to joining techUK, Stephanie worked for a political events company and as a Senior Caseworker for an MP. She holds an MA (HONS) in Politics from the University of Glasgow.
Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys travelling, climbing and playing squash.
Tracy supports several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Cyber Security, Defence, Health and Social Care, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.
Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!
Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!
