In my previous role at a management consultancy, I often questioned the continued use of the term 'Digital'. My argument was that 'Digital' shouldn't be isolated as a separate capability within organisations because virtually every aspect of modern business operations now has a digital element. Having spent the majority of my career at the forefront of design and product innovation, I sometimes took 'digital' knowledge for granted. I used to believe that in today's world, digital literacy was as fundamental as traditional literacy. If you're employed in a contemporary workplace, surely you must be digitally literate, right? However, I've since realised how narrow-minded that view was.
The reality is far more complex. The majority of the workforce, particularly in sectors outside high-tech industries, has a limited understanding of emerging technologies. The gap between those who are 'in the know' and those who aren't is widening at an alarming rate. The rapid pace of new product and technology development far exceeds what the average office worker can realistically keep up with. This creates a snowball effect—as the knowledge gap expands, the prospect of acquiring new skills becomes increasingly daunting. Consequently, many workers, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of new information, hesitate to engage with new technologies altogether. This hesitation further widens the gap, perpetuating a cycle of digital disparity.
Coming to this realisation has been challenging for me personally. As a technologist and futurist, I've always viewed the emergence of new technology with excitement and as cause for celebration. However, the concept of digital disparity makes me uncomfortable. I firmly believe in equity and want the wider society to benefit from the latest advancements, such as AI. This growing disparity stands in stark contrast to my conviction that everyone should have the opportunity to harness the incredible possibilities offered by modern technology.
FOMO – or the fear of missing out is real, and it’s palpable. As I was researching for this article, I found out that according to a recent report by Oxford University, a staggering 58% of UK workers say that lacking digital skills has negatively affected them in the workplace. This isn't just a statistic; it's a wake-up call. The impact of lagging digital skills is not an ‘unknown unknown’ for our workforce, our office workers are acutely aware that new digital technologies are emerging, and they're worried that by not learning these skills, they might miss out on crucial career opportunities. This anxiety is further compounded by the fact that 89% of all new jobs require digital skills to some degree, according to a recent report by the Commons. It's clear that digital proficiency is no longer a nice-to-have; it's becoming a necessity for career progression and even job security.
"A staggering 58% of UK workers say that lacking digital skills has negatively affected them in the workplace."
Part of the challenge is that even when people want to learn, they often don't know where to start. It's like being handed a menu in a language you don't understand. Most folks find it overwhelming to figure out what they should learn and what might not be relevant for them personally. Should they dive into AI? Focus on data analytics? Learn coding? The options seem endless, and without proper guidance, it's easy to feel lost. It's not just about willingness to learn; it's about knowing what to learn and where to start.
The UK's cost of living crisis has intensified the financial strain on workers, with inflation reaching 10.1% in March 2023. In this challenging economic climate, investing in digital skills training, which can cost anywhere from £500 to £5000, is a daunting prospect for many. To put this into perspective, the median weekly earnings for full-time employees in the UK was £667 in April 2023, meaning even a modestly priced course could consume a significant portion of a month's wages.
"The average cost of digital training can cost anywhere between £500 and £5,000, compared to the average UK median weekly income of £667, so even a modestly priced course could consume a significant portion of a month's wages."
However, the barrier isn't solely financial. Time is an equally precious and often overlooked resource. A 2023 survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) found that 29% of UK employees feel overworked, with 26% saying they find it difficult to relax in their personal time due to work. This time scarcity, coupled with financial constraints, creates a formidable obstacle to digital upskilling. It's not just about making a one-time investment; it's about committing to an ongoing process of learning and adaptation in an already stressful and time-poor environment. This reality is particularly challenging for those in lower-paying jobs, who may need digital skills the most to advance their careers but have the least resources to invest in them.
For years, I've been vocal about the shortcomings of Design education in preparing the next generation of practitioners. However, as I was researching for this article, it became clear that this issue extends far beyond just Design. Across numerous digitally-oriented sectors, there's a significant disconnect between university curricula and workplace requirements.
A 2023 study found that 60% of businesses believe their reliance on advanced digital skills is set to increase over the next five years, yet 76% of businesses believe that a lack of digital skills would hit their profitability. This gap is further highlighted by the fact that only 48% of UK employers believe young people are leaving full-time education with sufficiently advanced digital skills. These statistics paint a concerning picture: we're sending graduates into a rapidly evolving job market without the necessary tools to succeed. It's clear that our education system needs a significant overhaul to bridge this widening gap between academic learning and practical workplace needs.
Despite the challenges, there's a silver lining. An impressive 89% of employees are motivated to acquire new digital skills. This statistic is heartening, demonstrating that our workforce is ready and willing to adapt; they simply need the right tools and support.
The benefits of upskilling are clear and compelling. Workers with advanced digital skills earn 30% more than those without any digital skills. This significant boost in earning potential is particularly crucial in these economically challenging times. Furthermore, 82% of job vacancies require digital skills, underscoring that digital proficiency is not just beneficial but increasingly essential in the job market.
However, one significant challenge is that when people do attempt to learn independently, they often encounter a formidable obstacle: the complexity of digital terminology. Most digital concepts aren't explained in plain English, making the learning process increasingly challenging. This complexity can be so overwhelming that many individuals, despite their eagerness to learn, end up not taking any action at all – a classic case of analysis paralysis. Terms like 'cyber', 'digital', and 'artificial intelligence' can be particularly off-putting or confusing, especially to older workers. This terminology barrier creates an additional hurdle to learning and adopting new digital skills, highlighting the need for more accessible, jargon-free resources to support digital upskilling efforts.
Nothing ground-breaking, but here are some thoughts on what needs to happen in order for us to make a difference in this space:
Rethinking Education:
We need to bridge the gap between academia and industry, ensuring that what's taught in classrooms aligns with what's needed in offices. The fact that 73% of workers agree that AI and coding should be included in formal education speaks volumes.
Corporate Responsibility:
Companies need to step up their game when it comes to training. It's shocking that 58% of workers say their employer has never provided them with training to improve their digital skills. Businesses need to invest in their workforce if they want to remain competitive in this digital age.
Accessible Learning Options:
We need more accessible, affordable training options. Online platforms offering courses in bite-sized, easy-to-understand formats could be a game-changer. And let's not forget the power of peer-to-peer learning. Sometimes, the best teacher is the colleague sitting next to you.
Demystifying Digital Skills:
Let's break down these complex concepts into simple, relatable terms. After all, digital skills aren't just for the IT department anymore - they're for everyone. Using clear, accessible language when promoting digital skills and careers can help overcome the terminology barrier.
My concluding thoughts on the matter are simply that there has to be a better way. We have more than established the need and the challenges and the fact that the current approach to digital upskilling, both through formal educational and currently available courses is falling short. The average office worker recognises that they need these skills to maximise their chances of career progression, yet the economic, social and in a lot of cases behavioural challenges are holding them back.
Being a life-long design practitioner and an innovator, I want to approach this as a design challenge. I know it’s easy to fall back on the idea of ‘what can one person do?’ but as a personal challenge, I aim to focus on better understanding the needs, behaviours and desired outcomes of the target audience, identifying the opportunity areas and then figuring out how I can proactively contribute to addressing this problem. Watch this space.
Usman is a digital veteran and a renowned expert in human-centric innovation and product design. As the founder of Pathfinders, Usman works directly with businesses to uncover disruptive opportunities and helps create tangible business value through design and innovation.
Book an initial consultation with Usman »