{"id":4967,"date":"2023-11-20T13:40:21","date_gmt":"2023-11-20T12:40:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/squire-technologies.co.uk\/blog\/?p=4967"},"modified":"2024-07-22T12:40:20","modified_gmt":"2024-07-22T11:40:20","slug":"solving-the-uks-digital-skills-gap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/squire-technologies.co.uk\/blog\/solving-the-uks-digital-skills-gap","title":{"rendered":"Solving the UK\u2019s digital skills gap"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Solving the UK\u2019s digital skills gap<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/h1>\n

\"dorset<\/p>\n

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Digital skills are integral to everyday life and almost all careers, but the UK\u2019s digital skills gap is widening. Despite years of trying, the government has failed to encourage more students to take up Computer Science (CS) in schools. So, the team at Squire Technologies has stepped up, doing their part in inspiring children about the subject. <\/h4>\n<\/div>\n
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Since 2019, there has been almost zero growth in students taking CS at General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) levels, the UK\u2019s standard 14\u201316-year-old qualification level. However, the number of students in schools has increased by 2% over the same period, creating a relative drop in CS uptake at GCSE.<\/p>\n

The number of students taking combined Computing and ICT (Information Communication and Technology) GCSEs is even worse over a longer period. Since 2015, there has been a 40% drop.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"dorset<\/p>\n

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Baker Dearing Education Trust (2023)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What is contributing to the UK\u2019s digital skills gap?<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/h1>\n
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According to the Brookings Institute, several factors inhibit growth in UK students taking digital subjects.<\/p>\n

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  1. Inadequate teacher training funding has left many schools without the specialist teachers to deliver effective classes.<\/li>\n
  2. Decades-old barriers to access, such as race and gender, and even geographies, prevent students developing an interest in the subject.<\/li>\n
  3. There is debate about how CS should be taught to make it more accessible.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    Additional reasons for low digital subject take-up in UK, according to ChatGPT are:<\/p>\n

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    1. Students lacking information on the subject and its benefits, making rational subject selection harder.<\/li>\n
    2. There are misconceptions about the difficulty of the subject and what is required to succeed in it.<\/li>\n
    3. Schools might not have the equipment needed to provide effective CS classes.<\/li>\n
    4. Other subjects that students may perceive to be more relevant to them, such as art, music, or languages, could be more attractive.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

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      What are the consequences of the UK\u2019s digital skills gap?<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/h1>\n
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      In 2012, the UK government adopted a digital-by-default stance, which continues to expose the gap in skills. Arguably, it was most pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many citizens found themselves cut off from vital services just when they really needed them. Many older people who lacked digital skills, poorer people without digital tools, and those with serious health issues were suddenly isolated when the country locked down.<\/p>\n

      Economically, the situation is also perilous. A 2022 report from AND Digital shows 81% of managers feel that a lack of digital skills is hampering their businesses, yet \u00a350 billion-per-year of growth will rely on adequate digital skills. Furthermore, reports from the Office for National Statistics show there are over 1 million job vacancies in the UK in May 2023, and suggest that close to a quarter of those vacancies may be due to a lack of skills.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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      How is Squire Technologies helping?<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/h1>\n
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      As a company embedded in the provision of digital services, Squire Technologies supports digital economies and services around the world. In the UK, the company is going further, developing digital careers by offering apprenticeships and recruiting young engineers and school-leavers.<\/p>\n

      Recently, Squire Technologies was also delighted that its expert engineers were asked to take part in a coding event in the local community, aimed at inspiring students. Lucas, a Graduate Software Engineer at Squire Technologies, spent three days Avonbourne Academy helping teachers to run classes, supporting students with tasks, and sharing his experience of the IT industry and working at Squire Technologies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

      \"Amber<\/p>\n

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      \u201cWe were very grateful for Lucas taking time out of his schedule to support us with Dorset Coding Week. The students loved hearing about Lucas’s university background and what led him to a career in Tech. The event was a great opportunity to showcase different career options within the IT sector and has opened new pathways for our students. Studying Computer Science provides students with a stepping stone to many different career paths within the Tech industry, as well as providing students with essential life skills such as problem-solving, communication and adaptability.\u201d<\/p>\n

      Amber Druce, Computer Science Teach at Avonbourne Academy.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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      \"Douglas<\/p>\n

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      \u201cThe importance of digital skills for growing the telecommunications industry and the UK economy in general cannot be understated. Squire Technologies prides itself on the quality of the solutions it provides. So, we\u2019re glad for the opportunity to help inspire the next generation of coders.\u201d<\/p>\n

      Douglas Bryce, Marketing Communication Specialist at Squire Technologies<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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      To learn more about Squire Technologies, visit www.squire-technologies.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n

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      Mirus is a cost-effective, user-friendly, and flexible messaging platform. The enterprise-grade SMS messaging platform has carrier-grade functionality and combines complete SMS processing with full campaign management.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n