TechUK is calling for the development of a comprehensive map of the digital skills pipeline in order to stop the UK from falling behind.
In the paper, ‘We’re just not doing enough – working together to meet the digital skills challenge’ the tech trade association has warned that a fragmented approach to digital skills could ‘stunt growth’.
Eleven recommendations have been made to ensure future success with areas such as scaling up successful programmes like the National College for Digital Skills and coordinating efforts through the Tech Partnership and online navigation platforms.
Charlotte Holloway, Head of Policy at techUK, said: "Digital technologies will be at the heart of growth and jobs creation in the next five years. To realise the potential of tech in the UK we must work together with government to overcome the skills gap which threatens to stunt growth in the tech industry and beyond.
"With recent estimates suggesting the UK is already losing a potential £2bn per year from unfilled roles requiring digital skills, the scale of the gap over the next decade cannot be underestimated. We must accelerate efforts to secure the UK’s position as a world leading digital economy."
The introduction of initiatives such as the, Computing Curriculum are described as key to inspiring excitement about technology from a young age. However, the organisation has raised concerns that teachers lack the skills and resources to teach the curriculum effectively.
The paper recommends that there should be a close dialogue between industry and government in order to ensure that young people are trained in jobs for the future.
