Digital skills levels not being met in UK workplaces

Four in five jobs in information and communications require specific digital skills with 69% of manufacturing roles also requiring digital competencies, according to new research.

More than 50% jobs in finance and insurance, administrative and support, professional, scientific and technical, and transportation and storage require digital skills.

This research was carried out by The Knowledge Academy following the examination of more than eight million job ads at Gov.uk.

Additionally, the research surveyed 562 UK employees, who plan to change their job this year, to find out the mains barriers preventing them from developing their existing digital skills as well as learning new digital skills to significantly boost their career prospects.

People researched showed that a lack of time (72%) is preventing a majority of employees from learning/developing valuable digital skills.

Other stumbling blocks included not knowing where to start (67%), feeling too lazy/tired (64%) and fear of failing (59%).

Joseph Scott, from the TheKnowledgeAcademy.com said: “It’s that time of the year where individuals are contemplating their careers and wondering if their job is giving them enough fulfilment. Those who conclude that they are unhappy in their current position, will undoubtedly search for new opportunities.

“Given that most industries have now been revolutionised by technology, companies need employees who can comfortably use different digital tools, programmes and software to drive business performance as well as achieve set objectives. Those entering the job market need to be aware of this, as this research clearly shows that certain industries are more demanding of particular digital skills than others”.