Young people aren’t being taught the digital skills needed for work
43% of adults lack basic digital skills needed by 63% of jobs. They don’t know how to do word-processing, spreadsheets or manage social media accounts meaning they’re missing out on earning potential. The research found, on average, that employees can earn up to £10,000 a year more for digital skills such as programming and software design, and £3,000 a year more for skills in graphic design, data and 3D modelling.
This skills gap is likely to grow at faster rates as technology increases.
The Royal Society has warned that schools in England are failing children in preparing them for our digital future.
The new Computer Science GCSE, which replaced ICT, has been criticised as being overly focused on programming and for being dull and uninspiring. Over half of schools did not have any students taking the computer science GCSE. 30% of GCSE students are at schools where the GCSE is not offered. The British Computer Society warns the number studying for a computing qualification could halve by 2020.
Prior to GCSE students only spend on average one hour per week ‘learning computing’.
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Computing in schools – alarm bells over England’s classes (BBC, 18 June 2017)