Businesses across the South East are being asked to help identify their priorities when it comes to the digital skills they will need their workforce to have, now and in the future. From the basic digital skills needed to search and apply for jobs, through to those required in the workplace, including higher-level, technical skills – our need to increase digital skills across the region is clear.
The Digital Skills Survey has been developed by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP), operating across East Sussex, Kent & Medway, Essex, Southend and Thurrock. It is designed to assess the current levels of digital skills, examine issues such as the challenges of recruiting people with the right skills and identify any training gaps that exist to help businesses be more productive.
The results will be used by the recently created Digital Skills Partnership for SELEP to set the priorities to support businesses by making sure the area’s colleges, universities and training providers are delivering the right courses and opportunities.
James Wilkinson, Coordinator of the Digital Skills Partnership (DSP), said: “The survey will provide DSP members with the evidence it needs to help set the priorities for the area in order to ensure that everybody understands how digital skills will play an important role in the future growth of the area’s economy and in the employability of the people who live here.”
We’re extremely proud that SELEP is one of the first six areas identified by DCMS to deliver a local DSP programme, bringing together business and education representatives, public sector organisations and the charitable sector with the aim of creating a world leading digital economy that ensures the need for these vital skills is met across the South East.
The Digital Skills Survey will feed into SELEP’s Local Industrial Strategy and its objectives are integral to its recently published Economic Strategy Statement: Smarter, Faster, Together.
We would welcome your views and support with this, click here to complete the Digital Skills Survey
