Digital skills remain a struggle for some, say recruiters

-

library-computers300

Almost a quarter of workers in the UK, equating to 12.6 million people, do not have at least one of the five digital skills deemed crucial by digital skills charity Go ON UK.

The recently released Basic Digital Skills UK report, mentions managing information, communicating, transacting, problem solving and creating basic digital content as the necessary skills to have.

The report also highlights some notable regional discrepancies. London was found to have the highest levels of people with all the listed skills (84 per cent) but in Wales only 62 percent of people could say the same.

HRreview Logo

Get our essential weekday HR news and updates.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Keep up with the latest in HR...
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Optin_date
This field is hidden when viewing the form

 

Older people fared especially poorly, with basic digital skills starting to decline in the 45 to 54 age bracket. Less than half of those surveyed in the 65-plus age bracket could claim to have all of the skills listed by the survey.

Being in full time employment was more likely to produce a person with all the necessary skills. 89 percent of those in full time work had all five digital skills, compared to 72 percent of unemployed people and 47 percent of retirees.

Naturally, it was students who were found to have the highest levels of digital skills, with 93 percent possessing all of the five skills.

 

Robert joined the HRreview editorial team in October 2015. After graduating from the University of Salford in 2009 with a BA in Politics, Robert has spent several years working in print and online journalism in Manchester and London. In the past he has been part of editorial teams at Flux Magazine, Mondo*Arc Magazine and The Marine Professional.

Latest news

Superdry co-founder’s victim warns workplace power can silence abuse victims

A survivor's account raises questions about speaking-up cultures and accountability in organisations.

UK’s always-on work culture ‘driving employee burnout’

Nearly half of UK workers say they end most working days mentally exhausted as rising workplace pressure leaves employees and managers struggling to switch off.

Andrew Murray on why no two days look alike

A people development leader shares how travel, training and a passion for helping others shape a working day with little room for routine.

Lucy Standing: Older workers are back in the centre of the hiring debate – ready to lead the response?

For HR leaders, the argument is simple: the people being filtered out of your hiring process are not past their best.
- Advertisement -

One in 10 women quit work after pregnancy loss, report finds

Research suggests inconsistent workplace support following pregnancy loss and maternity leave is contributing to resignations and poorer mental wellbeing.

Fear of becoming obsolete grips workers as AI reshapes careers

More than two in five workers worry their skills could become outdated as AI reshapes hiring demands and increases pressure to keep learning.

Must read

Lewis Hanrahan: What does the future hold for the jobs market?

Business Manager Lewis Hanrahan, shares his expertise on how businesses can best prepare for the brave new world of post-pandemic, AI-influenced, fast-changing work.

Ian Rawlings: Staying productive in the digital age

Now, having settled into new ways of working, businesses have the time and resources to look inwards at how to improve productivity and employee wellbeing in the long-term, argues Ian Rawlings.
- Advertisement -

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you