COUNTRY FOCUS : UK

skills such as empathy , creativity and teaming . Individuals and teams with such skills are vital in creating a digital future and for businesses to see continued growth and success .”

Inadequate upskilling is also impacting individual careers

Despite the misunderstanding of what digital skills means , as well as a lack of current digital training , there is a certain appetite for upskilling . Half ( 49 %) of respondents stated that improving their digital skills is essential for their career progression – whether that ’ s earning more or performing better in their role . But workplace perceptions present a barrier , with four in 10 ( 42 %) workers feeling daunted by the prospect of digital upskilling and not feeling comfortable bringing it up with their employer .

A lack of digital skills growth is directly impacting career progression , with six in 10 ( 58 %) people saying they have been affected negatively by a lack of digital skills . Almost a third ( 29 %) say it has meant being turned down from either pay rises , promotions or not putting themselves forward for promotion . One-fifth ( 20 %) say it has stopped them from applying for a certain job and 16 % have felt they either had to quit their jobs or leave their industry .

“ Despite the digital skills gap discussion persisting for over a decade , UK organisations are still failing to sufficiently upskill employees and it is directly impacting business and wider economic growth ,” said Uppal . “ This is because we have not come to a shared understanding of what the skills gap is or what digital skills means – this needs to be done to move forward and close the gap .

“ In the next three years , AND Digital estimates the UK workforce will require 8 million individuals proficient in digital skills to close the gap – a number which even the most effective recruitment teams will struggle with . This means organisations must prioritise digital upskilling – ensuring individuals , teams and organisations as a whole are fit for a digital present and future and helping to prevent economic stagnation .” p

Research conducted by Censuswide in September 2022 surveyed 300 HR decision-makers within the technology , finance , e-commerce and retail industries ( 100 per industry ). The findings revealed that cybersecurity , software architecture and data analysis are facing the biggest lack of skilled workers in vertical industries , yet investment in recruitment and L & D remains low .

Yet , only half ( 51 %) of British companies within these vertical industries are willing to spend more than £ 25,000 on recruitment and learning and development

( L & D ) combined , to boost skills such as cybersecurity , software architecture and data analysis .

Recruitment and L & D spend not aligned with skills most lacking

The new research , conducted by Censuswide in September 2022 , surveyed 300 HR decision-makers within the technology , finance , e-commerce and retail industries ( 100 per industry ) to identify the digital skills most in demand and potential barriers to upskilling staff .

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