One way to address this education gap is through apprenticeships, which can offer a way into work for people of all ages, and the structured approach a mix of college learning and on-the-job experience often suits people returning to the workforce. People from other backgrounds, who may have much to offer in IT, can t find the combination of training and experience they need to make a contribution, Ms Price explains. Not all age groups are given the same consideration, she says, and opportunities for further training seem to diminish as people become older. Unfortunately, employers are still focused on the entry points to the profession, particularly at graduate level, according Karen Price, CEO of e-skills UK. There are many people further along in their career who would be willing and able to acquire such skills. And yet, only 19,410 people completed a degree in an IT-related subject in However, graduates are not the only potential source of digital skills. According to e-skills UK, the government s IT skills agency, the IT sector alone requires about 140,000 new entrants every year to fuel its workforce. Much has been made of the short supply of IT graduates entering the workforce. The Commission projects that up to 900,000 jobs requiring high levels of digital skills will go unfilled by This comes at a time when, according to the World Economic Forum, chronic joblessness threatens the very stability of society in Europe. ![]() According to the European Commission, at least 90% of jobs will soon require some level of digital skill, but more than half of Europe s existing labour force is deficient in this area. Alas, the statistics make for grim reading. ![]() ![]() If organisations are to thrive in this environment, the need for employees with digital skills is inescapable. 1 Addressing the digital skills challenge Businesses need to look beyond their graduate intake if they are to plug the digital skills gap Written by The Economist Intelligence Unit Digital technology has permeated every facet of working life, from customer service and collaboration to product design and strategy.
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