UK Digital skills gap

 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-digital-strategy-to-make-uk-a-global-tech-superpower

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uks-digital-strategy

The skills gap identified in digital accessibility sits within a backdrop of a wider skills shortage for the UK tech industry. This research can contribute to this wider strategy to help educate the future workforce.

…inadequately equipped to meet the demands of the digital age. Employers say that only 48% of people leaving full-time education have the advanced digital skills required, and many companies cite lack of available talent as the single biggest constraining factor to their growth. Improving the availability of digital skills not only unlocks the full economic potential of businesses, it helps individuals and opens up careers in interesting, sustainable, and well-paid jobs across the economy.

It is the ambition of this government to ensure the development of digital skills across the whole of the UK. 

3.1 Strengthening the digital education pipeline

Improving digital education in schools, and increasing undergraduate numbers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM subjects), will raise the base level of skills of the next generations to enter the workforce. ​​

As such, the Department for Education (DfE) will continue to support schools to deliver computing alongside a full range of subjects over the course of a week.​ ​​The benefits of a broad and balanced curriculum are widespread, including giving pupils the necessary skills and development opportunities to succeed in later life and access jobs in important growth sectors such as digital.​

Knowledgeable and confident teachers with a passion for their subject are key to ensuring the computing curriculum is taught well in schools. Through the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE), DfE will ensure that every school in England is equipped with the knowledge to teach computing and ensure that children have the digital skills they need to participate in a digital society.

DfE has also created clear technical education options for 16-19 year olds in England. Introduced in September 2020, T Levels are new, high-quality technical courses offered across England that offer students a mixture of learning in an educational setting and ‘on-the-job’ experience during an industry placement of at least 315 hours (approximately 45 days). There are 3 T Levels in digital subjects, all available now: Digital Business Services; Digital Production, Design and Development; and Digital Support Services. In addition, all T Level programmes include digital skills that are relevant to the occupations in question, giving employers the confidence that T Level graduates will have the proficiency needed for employment.

Raising standards in tech education is important. To this end, the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) has two publications underway on computing education. The first paper, published last month, explored the literature relating to computing education and identified factors that can contribute to high-quality school computing curriculums, assessment, pedagogy and systems. Ofsted will use this to examine how computing is taught in England’s schools. It will then publish a subject report to share what they have learned. Ofsted plans to publish the report in 2023. DCMS and the Digital Skills Council welcome this independent research by Ofsted and await the outcome of its report into computing education in England.​

3.2 Increasing awareness of pathways into digital occupations

It is critical that young people are aware of, and can access, the breadth of careers and opportunities available.


3.4 Lifelong digital skills

It is important that adults have the digital skills they need to participate fully in modern society, and thrive in traditional non-digital roles. 30% of skill-shortage vacancies involve a lack of basic digital skills (for example, Microsoft Office and use of digital applications). Reskilling the existing workforce is crucial, as 80% of the 2030 workforce is already in work today.

Facilitating inclusion through digital skills

Digital skills, as well as access to digital infrastructure and accessibility, are fundamental to addressing barriers associated with digital exclusion.

Across the government, we are supporting people to use computers and the Internet in the following ways:

  • DfE is providing essential digital skills trainingfor adults through the digital entitlement. This will equip adults in England with a full range of essential digital skills needed for life, work, and further study.
  • The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is supporting claimants in developing their digital skills through the Claimant Commitment. To support adults who are online but lack the essential digital skills for work, DWP is working to develop a framework to effectively identify claimants’ digital skills level and, where appropriate, refer claimants to foundation digital skills courses, Essential Digital Skills qualifications (EDSQ), and Skills Bootcamps.
  • DCMS is providing a trusted network of accessible locations offering free Wi-Fi and digital support to users through public libraries.


DfE is rolling out reforms to strengthen progression pathways between training offers. By the end of the decade, most post-16 technical education and training will be aligned to employer-led occupational standards, and will correspond with occupational routes approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE). These occupational routes will develop to account for pathways to and from specialist providers, including for digital skills.

Across England, employers in this sector have so far developed 26 high-quality apprenticeships in a range of occupations, including data science, cyber security, digital and technology solutions, AI, data and creative digital design.

Finally, public libraries play an important and inclusive role in making sure everyone can access the digital economy. 2,900 public libraries in England offer free Wi-Fi, computers, and other technology, along with some digital support. Almost a third of people visit their local library, and nearly 80% of libraries have reported seeing a constant or increasing volume of requests for digital skills support. Libraries also help to tackle the combined barriers of skills, confidence, and motivation, by offering skills training and user support.





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