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Why digital skills are everyone's business
In our evolving digital landscape, the skills gap threatens to undermine our progress towards a Smarter State. As technology reshapes how we live and work, we must ensure our workforce can keep up. This isn't just about maintaining economic competitiveness; it's about creating a society where everyone can participate in and benefit from digital advancements.
Reskilling and Upskilling: A Continuous Journey
The days of learning a skill set and relying on it for an entire career are long gone. In the digital age, learning must be continuous. We need to foster a culture where upskilling is the norm, not the exception.
While government initiatives like the National Skills Fund are a step in the right direction, they're just the beginning. We need a more agile approach to skills development. Companies should view employee learning as an investment, not an expense. Short, focused courses and micro-credentials can help workers quickly adapt to new technologies without disrupting their careers.
But let's be clear: this isn't just about teaching people to code. Digital skills encompass a broad spectrum, from data analysis to digital marketing to cybersecurity. We need to broaden our definition of what constitutes essential digital skills for the modern workforce.
Early Digital Literacy: Planting Seeds for the Future
To truly close the skills gap, we need to start early. Our education system must evolve to meet the demands of the digital age. Integrating digital skills into the curriculum from primary school onwards is essential.
However, it's not enough to simply put computers in classrooms. We need to fundamentally rethink how we teach digital skills. It's about fostering creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking in a digital context. Coding clubs and after-school tech programmes are great, but digital literacy should be woven into the fabric of education, not treated as an add-on.
Inclusivity and Diversity: Tapping into Untapped Potential
Despite its innovative nature, the tech industry has struggled to cultivate a truly diverse talent pool. This isn't just a moral issue; it's a practical one. By failing to include diverse voices and perspectives, we're missing out on a wealth of talent and innovation.
We need to break down the barriers that prevent underrepresented groups from entering and thriving in the tech sector. This means addressing unconscious biases, creating more inclusive work environments, and actively reaching out to diverse communities.
But inclusivity goes far beyond traditional notions of diversity. We must broaden our perspective to include often-overlooked segments of society such as:
- Older Workers: Often sidelined in tech, older employees bring valuable experience and perspective. Ageism in tech is not just discriminatory; it's counterproductive.
- Veterans: Ex-military personnel possess unique skills in leadership, problem-solving, and working under pressure. With the right training, they can transition these valuable attributes into tech roles.
- Ex-Offenders: Rehabilitation through digital skills training can offer ex-offenders a fresh start and valuable employment opportunities.
- Rural Communities: Often left behind in digital initiatives, rural areas are an untapped source of talent. Remote work opportunities in tech can revitalise these communities if coupled with targeted skills training.
- Stay-at-Home Parents: Those who've taken career breaks for caregiving can re-enter the workforce through flexible digital skills programmes, bringing unique perspectives and multitasking abilities.
By actively including these diverse groups in digital skills initiatives, we're not just filling a skills gap – we're enriching our tech industry with a variety of experiences and viewpoints. In the context of building a Smarter State, this inclusivity ensures the benefits of digital transformation are widely shared across all segments of society.
The challenge now is to create targeted, accessible programmes that cater to these diverse groups. This requires collaboration between government, industry, and community organisations to identify barriers, design appropriate training, and create pathways to employment.
Tackling Digital Poverty: Leaving No One Behind
As we push forward with digital transformation, we risk leaving behind those who lack access to technology or the skills to use it. Digital poverty is a real and pressing issue that threatens to exacerbate existing social inequalities.
Public access points and device provision schemes are important, but they're not enough. We need to couple access with education and support. Community-led initiatives can play a crucial role here, providing not just skills training but also building the confidence needed to engage with digital technologies.
The Road Ahead: A Collective Effort
Bridging the digital skills gap isn't a task for government or industry alone. It requires a collective effort from all sectors of society. Educational institutions, businesses, non-profits, and government agencies must work together to create a comprehensive and cohesive approach.
We need to be proactive, not reactive. The pace of technological change means we can't afford to wait for skills gaps to appear before we act. We must anticipate future needs and prepare our workforce accordingly.
Moreover, we need to recognise that digital skills are not just about economic productivity. They're about empowering individuals to participate fully in modern society. From accessing public services to engaging in civic discourse, digital literacy is becoming as fundamental as traditional literacy.
Bridging the digital skills gap is about creating a more equitable, innovative, and resilient society - not just about filling job vacancies or boosting economic output. It's about ensuring that the Smarter State we're building is one that can work for everyone. Yes, the challenge is significant, but so is the opportunity. The Smarter State isn't just about smarter technologies; it's about smarter, more skilled, and more empowered citizens.
The Mercator Digital Academy
Our academy began as an internal initiative after realising traditional 12-week bootcamps weren't effective. We pioneered a more holistic training programme for new recruits and staff, focusing on real-world preparation, support, and mentorship. This approach highlighted a market need for effective, inclusive training to address the digital skills gap. In 2023, we were selected to provide UK Central Government and public sector organisations with training through our academy (DALAS Framework). Contact us to learn how we can help meet your business needs.
Heather Cover-Kus
Heather is Head of Central Government Programme at techUK, working to represent the supplier community of tech products and services to Central Government.
Ellie Huckle
Ellie joined techUK in March 2018 as a Programme Assistant to the Public Sector team and now works as a Programme Manager for the Central Government Programme.
Austin Earl
Austin joined techUK’s Central Government team in March 2024 to launch a workstream within Education and EdTech.
Ella Gago-Brookes
Ella joined techUK in November 2023 as a Markets Team Assistant, supporting the Justice and Emergency Services, Central Government and Financial Services Programmes.
Annie Collings
Annie joined techUK as the Programme Manager for Cyber Security and Central Government in September 2023. In this role, she supports the Cyber Security SME Forum, engaging regularly with key government and industry stakeholders to advance the growth and development of SMEs in the cyber sector.
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