A new report from the Prince’s Trust reveals a growing ‘digital skills crisis’ among young people in the UK. Over one-third are worried they lack the essential digital skills for securing good jobs. Additionally, many are uncertain about which skills to develop for their future.
The report, titled ‘Decoding The Digital Skills Gap,’ exposes limited knowledge, exposure, and access to digital training as major barriers for UK youth. This issue is even worse for disadvantaged groups, pointing to a pressing need for action.
The Growing Digital Skills Crisis
The Prince’s Trust, together with Solutions Research and support from Cognizant, has recently published a report detailing a rising ‘digital skills crisis’ among the youth in the UK. The comprehensive study found that over one-third (37%) of young individuals are worried they lack the essential digital skills for securing a good job. Additionally, more than two in five (41%) are uncertain about which skills they should develop for their future careers.
The report is titled ‘Decoding The Digital Skills Gap’ and reveals how limited knowledge, exposure, and access to digital skills training prevent young people from pursuing relevant careers. This issue is more severe among disadvantaged groups, such as individuals not in employment, education, or training (NEET) and those with limited internet access.
Impact on Disadvantaged Groups
This lack of digital confidence is particularly significant for those who are already at a disadvantage. NEET individuals are more likely to miss out on relevant studies, with 43% reporting that these subjects were either not offered or not encouraged during their education. In contrast, 34% of their peers who are in employment or education face the same issue.
Lindsey Wright, Head of Future Sectors at The Prince’s Trust, highlighted the gravity of the situation: ‘This research paints a bleak picture of a growing digital skills crisis, suggesting young people are not being equipped with the right knowledge, confidence, or opportunities to pursue digitally enabled jobs or training.’
Interest But Lack of Access
Encouragingly, nearly four in five (79%) young people have shown interest in training or retraining in both basic and advanced digital skills. However, the gap between interest and access remains wide. Many young people report a lack of opportunities to gain these crucial skills, which could help them secure better job prospects in the future.
Despite the government’s 2022 Digital Strategy highlighting that over 80% of UK job advertisements require digital skills, there is still a disconnect. The current skills gap is estimated to cost the UK economy up to £63 billion annually, a figure that could rise to £120 billion by 2030.
Disconnect with Digital Careers
The research also shows a significant disconnect between young people and digital careers. When asked about potential future roles—like Robotics Engineer, Cyber Security Analyst, and Computer Games Developer—only 11% felt these careers were suitable for them, even though they recognised their lucrative and creative potential.
Josie Harrison, Research Director at Solutions Research, stated: ‘We found strong evidence that young people need significant support to ensure barriers to engaging with digital skills training and careers are removed. There is a clear need to raise awareness of the need for digital skills by educating on how relevant they are to different jobs and industries.’
Additionally, over two-fifths (42%) of young people do not consider digital skills essential for their future, which is more prevalent among NEET individuals (52% versus 38%). This mindset could further exacerbate the skills gap and the economic challenges it brings.
Recommendations for Change
The Prince’s Trust calls for collaborative action from employers, educators, and the government to enhance digital skills training and career guidance. By working together, they aim to unlock the potential of the UK’s youth and ensure they are well-equipped to thrive in a technology-driven economy.
Over the past two years, The Prince’s Trust has integrated digital skills modules into programmes like Achieve, benefiting thousands of young people across the UK. These initiatives are crucial as three in four young participants of Prince’s Trust programmes transition into work, education, or training.
Expert Opinions
Rohit Gupta, Managing Director UK&I at Cognizant, added: ‘With global economies and employment landscapes changing at an unprecedented pace in the age of AI, working with The Prince’s Trust enables us to support young people from underrepresented and diverse backgrounds by giving them important opportunities to access skilling and teaching them how to succeed in the workforce of the future.’
Experts argue that awareness and practical approaches to digital skills training are vital for young people to succeed. These skills are not only essential for specific tech roles but also for a broad range of careers across different industries.
Future Prospects
The economic implications of this skills gap are immense, with a potential cost to the UK economy of up to £120 billion by 2030 if not addressed. As such, urgent action is needed to bridge this gap and provide young people with the skills they need to succeed.
The government’s efforts, alongside initiatives from organisations like The Prince’s Trust, are steps in the right direction. However, more robust and widespread measures are needed to ensure every young person has the opportunity to develop essential digital skills.
This report underscores the urgent need for action to bridge the digital skills gap affecting young people in the UK. By enhancing access to digital training and raising awareness about the importance of these skills, stakeholders can empower the youth to thrive in a technology-driven economy. Collective efforts from employers, educators, and policymakers are crucial in providing young individuals with the opportunities they need to succeed.