Encouraging the Upcoming Generation in Digital Professionals
In the rapidly digitalizing world, the significance of digital skills has never been more apparent. The annual initiative, Digital Day, aims to address the digital skills gap and promote digital inclusion in the UK. Organized by UK digital trade body BIMA, the event took place on Tuesday, 14th November 2023, reaching over 140 schools across the country.
Digital Day serves as a platform to highlight the importance of digital skills development, particularly for marginalized groups affected by digital exclusion. By focusing on digital literacy and skills training, this initiative contributes to improving productivity, economic growth, and social inclusion. It aligns with broader goals such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 8 (economic growth), and SDG 9 (industry innovation), emphasizing lifelong learning and innovation through digital skill enhancement.
Amanda Follitt, head of Digital Operations Services at Amaze, stated that Digital Day creates one employer encounter a year for students. This interaction is crucial in providing students with insights into the opportunities available in the digital sector and the pathways into them. Phil Wilce, creative director at TH_NK, emphasized the huge gap in the UK's national curriculum when it comes to digital education.
The digital jobs market is thriving, with digital jobs available across every industry. At any one time, there are 40,000 jobs open with digital skills needed. Digital leaders from agencies such as SapientRazorfish, DigitasLBi, Amaze, and Huge participated in Digital Day, showcasing the top priority that digital skills are for businesses and the wider British economy.
The digital skills gap costs the UK £63 billion annually, according to a recent government report. Three quarters of UK businesses face a shortage of digital skills in the workforce, as shown by a British Chambers of Commerce report. To combat this, a systematic program of support, including hack days, awareness days, guest lectures, workplace information, and CV writing advice, is suggested.
Natalie Gross, president at BIMA, emphasizes the need for businesses to support schools in upskilling young people on digital and technology. Digital Day aims to encourage young people to pursue a career in digital to ensure Britain maintains its position as an international technology leader. The event also aims to inspire and empower young people to become tomorrow's digital leaders.
Digital Day not only raises national awareness about digital poverty and exclusion but also encourages collaboration between governments, businesses, and communities to address digital skills shortages. It celebrates progress and honors efforts toward digital inclusion while supporting marginalized groups to participate fully in the digital economy. The initiative also contributes to workforce readiness for emerging technologies like AI, which could add significant employment and economic value to the UK economy.
The Women in IT Awards is coming to the US for the first time on 22 March 2018 in New York, and nominations are now open for the Women in IT USA Awards 2018. As Digital Day continues to grow, it is clear that the initiative is making a significant impact in bridging the digital skills gap and fostering digital inclusion in the UK.
[1] Digital Day: Bridging the Digital Skills Gap [2] Digital Day 2023: Empowering the Next Generation
- Digital Day's emphasis on education and self-development in technology aligns with its mission to empower the next generation and foster digital inclusion, contributing significantly to bridge the digital skills gap in the UK.
- The annual Digital Day event serves not only as a platform for bridging the digital skills gap but also as a means to encourage and inspire young people to excel in finance through technology, playing a crucial role in developing tomorrow's digital leaders.
