Digital skills used to be a nice-to-have on a CV. Now they’re closer to a basic requirement, and a lot of the UK workforce still doesn’t have them. Skills England research suggests over half of UK working-age adults lack the full set of digital skills employers expect for work, and that gap is showing up in job applications, promotions and pay rises alike (Source: Skills England).
If you’ve ever wondered whether your own digital skills are actually up to scratch, or you’ve been turned down for a role that assumed a level of comfort with technology you don’t quite have yet, you’re far from alone.
Digital skills are just one part of a much wider UK skills gap right now. Keep reading to see how easy it is to develop these essential skills from home.
What counts as digital skills?
Digital skills cover a broad range, from the basics of using email, spreadsheets and cloud storage confidently, through to more specialist ability with data, software and IT systems. Employers generally expect a baseline of digital skills in almost any office-based role now, even ones that aren’t technical on paper.
That’s part of what makes the digital skills gap tricky to pin down. It isn’t always about a lack of advanced technical knowledge. Quite often it’s the everyday digital skills, like troubleshooting a shared document or working confidently across different platforms, that catch people out.
Why the digital skills gap keeps growing
Workplaces are changing faster than training can keep up with. New software, cloud-based systems and now AI tools are being rolled out across UK businesses at speed, and a lot of employees haven’t had the structured support to learn them properly.
This is exactly the kind of digital skills gap that Skills England and the Open University Business Barometer have flagged as a growing concern for UK employers, with over half reporting a skills shortage in some form (Source: Open University Business Barometer). It isn’t confined to entry-level roles either. Plenty of experienced professionals find their digital skills course knowledge is years out of date, simply because nobody’s had the time to refresh it on the job.
What employers actually want
Most employers aren’t expecting everyone to become a software developer. What they’re looking for is essential digital skills applied confidently and consistently: managing information securely, using common workplace software without hand-holding, and picking up new tools quickly rather than needing weeks of training every time something changes. A short, focused refresher is often all it takes to bring those essential digital skills back up to date.
Roles in IT and computing sit at the sharper end of the digital skills gap, where employers want a much deeper level of digital literacy skills, covering everything from systems and networks to data handling and security basics.
How to close your own digital skills gap
The route that suits you depends on where you’re starting from and where you want to end up.
If you’re building general workplace confidence, a focused digital skills course can plug specific gaps quickly, whether that’s around a particular piece of software or a broader refresh of your digital literacy skills. Our Information Technology course is a solid starting point if you want a rounded grounding without committing to a full qualification straight away.
If you’re aiming for a career built around digital and IT specifically, it’s worth thinking further ahead. Our Computing Online Degree Pathway is designed for learners who want a genuine, degree-level route into the sector, studied flexibly around work or other commitments. For learners without traditional entry qualifications, the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Computing) offers another way in, opening the door to university-level study afterwards.
Whichever route you take, closing the digital skills gap isn’t about becoming an expert in everything. It’s about making sure the gap between what you know and what employers expect keeps getting smaller, not bigger, as workplaces keep changing around you.
Ready to take the next step?
Whichever skills gap you’re looking to close, the right next step doesn’t have to be a big commitment straight away. Browse the full range of free course brochures below to see what’s involved before you enrol, call the team on 01202 006 464 to talk through your options, or get in touch online and we’ll point you towards the right course for where you want to get to.
