How Can We Reduce The UK Digital Skills Gap?

A previous blog discusses the UK Digital Skills Inequalities, including why certain groups are less likely to have digital skills than others. This blog discusses the approaches and initiatives aimed at improving digital skills, access to digital devices and internet connectivity, which are key barriers to digital skills and inclusion.

Digital Skills Education in Schools

Digital skills are taught specifically within computing lessons in England. The computing curriculum is mandatory in local authority-maintained schools from ages 5 to 16. It focuses on the fundamentals of computer science, but also aims to ensure that pupils are able to use information and communication technology ‘at a suitable level for the workplace and as active participants in a digital world’.

However, some research has found that teachers are concerned that the computing curriculum is overly focussed on computer science and that there is a lack of basic digital skills development. Other stakeholders have raised concerns that digital skills do not feature explicitly in Ofsted’s inspection framework. Further challenges include a shortage of qualified computing teachers and a low uptake of computing qualifications. A 2019 report by the Nuffield Foundation found that putting computers into schools did not guarantee a positive impact on digital skills. It also reported that there is a lack of consensus on the effective use of digital technologies in teaching and learning.

Adult Upskilling and Reskilling

It can be harder to access digital skills training after leaving formal education. However, various organisations run initiatives aimed at digitally upskilling adults.

• Industry Schemes

Research by the CBI found that 93% of businesses are taking action to address their digital skills needs, including through hiring more external talent, partnering with SMEs, providing training for staff and taking on more apprentices. There are also some industry-led courses available to the wider public.

• Government Programmes

These are fully funded qualifications for adults who are inexperienced with digital devices and the internet to develop basic digital skills, including:

• Essential Digital Skills Qualifications – for adults who are inexperienced with digital devices and the internet to develop basic digital skills.
• Lifetime Skills Guarantee – for adults without any A level qualifications or equivalent to undertake a fully funded ‘level 3’ qualification
• Skills Bootcamps – helping adults gain new digital and technical skills

Industry, Charity, and Community Initiatives

Various industry and charity-led programmes exist to help boost digital skills. Examples include:

• Achieve Foundation’s Digital Confidence Programme – Which delivers digital skills training via community venues for all IT confidence levels from novice to advanced levels.
• Accenture’s Skills to Succeed Academy – An online learning platform to help young people build their employability skills.
• BT’s Skills for Tomorrow programme – A programme providing free advice, information and support for 10 million people.
• Good Things Foundation’s Learn My Way – A website of free online courses to help people to develop their basic digital skills, including courses on creating documents, job hunting and using public services online.
• Future Digital Inclusion (FDI) – A programme funded by DfE and run by Good Things Foundation to deliver basic digital skills training.

Access to Devices and Internet

Devices and internet connectivity are important for learning and improving digital skills. Several technology donation and loan schemes have been set up by local groups and charities across the UK in recent years, often targeting people vulnerable to digital exclusion. Examples include:

• Achieve Foundation’s International Device Bank – Which sources and refurbishes mobile phones and computer devices to distribute to people in need.
• Everyone Connected (formerly DevicesDotNow) – Which is run by a coalition of businesses and charities, has delivered over 13,000 devices to people at risk of digital exclusion.
• The Department for Education – Which has a programme to distribute devices to disadvantaged school pupils and those who cannot access remote education.