Chris Jeffries explains how careers professionals and graduate recruiters can inspire young people to develop digital skills and see the range of job opportunities that they open up
A study by the Learning and Work Institute found that less than half of the UK's employers believe young people are leaving full-time education with the digital skills they need.1 Graduate specific data from the Institute of Student Employers (ISE) backs this up, with a quarter of employers unable to find graduates with the programming skills required for their business.2
These findings may come as a surprise bearing in mind most students grew up with technology and don't remember a time without smartphones. However, the term 'digital skills' encompasses a huge range of talents, knowledge and expertise. My own company, for instance, needs people who can create video content, design web pages and find their way around complex databases. Other businesses are looking for people with different digital skillsets. Employers across all sectors are crying out for digital skills to boost their post-pandemic recovery.
Once they realise they don't need to be the next Ada Lovelace or Alan Turing, graduates in all subjects can help the country bridge the digital skills divide.
Igniting the passion
That's where the challenge lies. Many young people feel a career requiring digital skills simply isn't for them, mostly because they lack awareness of the scope and opportunities available. Some students imagine life as a computer programmer sitting alone with only a screen for company - and don't see the appeal. Others assume they will never have the maths ability or technical dexterity to bring IT skills to the workplace. But these perceptions are inaccurate and outdated.
Careers professionals must find a way to show students that there are plenty of roles involving digital ability that match their own strengths, interests and personalities.
Yes, the world needs graduates who are talented in coding and blockchain, but it also needs young people who can put a business on the map through their understanding of search engine optimisation, and creatives who can build a brand's reputation on social media.
Once they realise they don't need to be the next Ada Lovelace or Alan Turing, graduates in all subjects can help the country bridge the digital skills divide.
Transferrable skills
While graduates may feel discouraged when applying for roles which call for digital know-how, the fact is they probably already have many of the strengths they need to succeed without even knowing it. It's just a question of recognising these strengths and adapting them to a changing careers landscape.
After all, a generation ago we would not have predicted the need for drone engineers, app designers or cybersecurity specialists. Yet the people who do these jobs have evolved their skills and moved with the times.
Gaming is a prime example of an activity which requires digital skills. Call of Duty has no instruction manual, but young people play again and again, honing their techniques and improving so they can be the last person standing. This takes commitment and determination - and the ability to learn and master technology.
Similarly, the Instagrammer or the TikTok devotee could be unknowingly laying the foundations for a successful career as a digital marketing executive or film producer.
That's why it’s important that careers guidance encourages young people to recognise the many gifts and abilities they already have, and helps them consider how these can be nurtured for a digitally literate workplace. Equally, graduate recruiters should look beyond specific skill requirements and focus on potential.
As the world opens up, careers advisers and HR professionals must continue to harness the power of technology to reach out to students and graduates.
Rules of engagement
One major advantage for both educators and employers is that students are likely to respond positively to engagement through technology. The pandemic may have reduced opportunities for in-person industrial placements and internships with employers, but many organisations have found creative ways to keep these links strong through approaches such as remote networking, virtual internships and careers podcasts.
As the world opens up, careers advisers and HR professionals must continue to harness the power of technology to reach out to students and graduates. New techniques are making their mark in careers education. Virtual reality is proving to be effective in opening minds to different roles and workplaces. Businesses can show students what it's like to work for them by creating immersive experiences which allow a young person to move around a manufacturing plant or visualise different medical career pathways.
There's no doubt that digital expertise is urgently needed to drive productivity and accelerate economic growth. But this can only be achieved if students are excited about the career opportunities available, and inspired to develop the skills employers need.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of Prospects/Jisc.
Notes:
- Disconnected? Exploring the digital skills gap, Learning and Work Institute, 2021.
- ISE Survey – Skills: Are students ready for the Covid workplace?, Institute of Student Employers, 2021.
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