ALMOST a third of workers in Reading feel they lack sufficient digital skills for their job role, with more than half not receiving digital upskilling training from their employer according to new research.
And the same study found that a widespread misunderstanding exists of what digital skills means, with 39% of workers in Reading believing it means the ability to fix IT issues, something backers say presents a further barrier to closing the digital skills gap.
Digital services company AND Digital’s report, The Nature of the Digital Skills Gap, shows that 68% of workers in Reading believe a lack of digital skills is having a negative impact on their organisation.
The report which also looks at the UK-wide impact highlights over half (61%) of business growth depends on digital outcomes. Based on AND Digital’s estimations, this equates to £50bn is at risk per year across the UK economy, and more than £240bn between now and 2026.
And 30% of businesses in Reading attribute it to their employee churn, with a loss of talent or difficulty attracting talent within their organisations to a lack of digital skills.
Almost a quarter (24%) admit it has impacted either their ability to hit business targets, made them lose customers or key business opportunities.
Yet, this issue is compounded by the fact that over half (52%) of workers in Reading admit they have not received digital upskilling from their employer.
The research commissioned by AND Digital, which surveyed 5,000 UK workers who use technology in their roles, analysed the digital skills capabilities at an individual, team and organisational level. Overall, the research highlights that urgent action to digitally upskill the UK’s workforce could help its chance of economic recovery.
Shan Beerstecher, AND Digital Reading Club Executive, said: “Digital skills mean so much more than just technical skills.
“It also includes professional skills, such as product and delivery management, and soft, human skills such as empathy, creativity and teaming. Individuals and teams with such skills are vital in creating a digital future, and for businesses across the UK and in Reading to see continued growth and success.”
Ms Beerstecher said the report shows a clear appetite for upskilling in Reading, with more half (56%) of respondents stating that improving their digital skills is essential for their career progression – whether that’s earning more or performing better in their role.
But workplace perceptions present a barrier, with 46% of Reading workers feeling daunted by the prospect of digital upskilling and not feeling comfortable bringing it up with their employer.
A lack of digital skills growth is directly impacting career progression, with nearly seven in 10 (68%) of workers in Reading saying they have been affected negatively by a lack of digital skills. A third (33%) of these say it has meant being turned down from either pay rises, promotions or not putting themselves forward for promotion.
One fifth (21%) say it has stopped them from applying for a certain job and 20% have felt.
She said: “Despite the digital skills gap discussion persisting for over a decade, organisations in Reading are still failing to sufficiently upskill employees, and it is directly impacting business and wider economic growth.
“This is because we have not come to a shared understanding of what the skills gap is or what digital skills means – this needs to be done to move forward and close the gap.
“In the next three years, AND Digital estimates the UK workforce will require eight million individuals proficient in digital skills to close the gap. A number which even the most effective recruitment teams will struggle with.
“Organisations in Reading must prioritise digital upskilling – ensuring individuals, teams and organisations as a whole in the region are fit for a digital present and future.”
