Research by worldskillsuk revealed that 92% businesses say that a basic level of digital skills is essential, and four in five (82%) job vacancies ask for digital skills. Yet 23% of employers say that their current workforce lacks the basic digital skills that they need, rising to over one in three (37%) when concerning advanced digital skills. Further, relicense on advanced digital skills is only expected to increase in the future.

According to the UK government, data is the driving force of the world’s modern economies. Large and small businesses across many industry sectors are fuelled by it, and effective use can increase productivity, business opportunities, and improvement in public services. Most notably, skills in digital technologies are paramount for post-COVID-19 recovery.

Consequently, it is crucial that we consider how the lack of tech talent can be addressed. Government-funded digital skills bootcamps are a prime example of how advances can be made in bridging the gap.

What are digital skills bootcamps?

Many readers may not have heard of digital skills bootcamps; however, they are a vital part of the plan to greatly enhance digital skills.

For example, with a £7m grant, West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has piloted over 30 digital bootcamps and trained around 2,000 adults with essential tech skills in recent years. In October, WMCA unveiled its next round of bootcamps; £21m has been made available from the Adult Education Budget to support the new bootcamps over the next three years, with a target of supporting more than 4,000 people.

Free to access, the bootcamps cover data analytics and data engineering, web development, coding, UI and UX design, cloud computing, digital marketing, and cybersecurity, and more. They are organised by WMCA, but the delivery of the actual training is managed by individual specialist firms, each with expertise in a particular digital field.

The bootcamps can be used by those out of work as well as people in employment but seeking new roles or promotions that require digital skills.

How can businesses and employees benefit?

If digital bootcamps are to have a successful impact, they need involvement from businesses. Taking advantage of state investment and industry-led training – by employing recent programme graduates or upskilling current employees through bootcamp enrolment – will enable organisations to keep up with the ongoing ‘digital revolution’.

For instance, Angela Chitalo-Davies, Software Support Team Manager of Reapit, has taken on graduates of a WMCA digital skills bootcamp run by Generation. Chitalo was excited to help tackle unemployment and give younger people a leg up in a tough environment whilst bringing on people with a genuine interest in the employer and their roles.

“They have received such relevant training to our role, which is unique. You can employ based on previous experience alone, but with Generation, you know they’re to be trusted. They’re qualified and ready to work with us. Knowing that the candidates have successfully graduated from a bootcamp gives us a lot of reassurance on their capabilities,” said Chitalo.

As mentioned, digital skills bootcamps can also be used by employed people looking to gain the digital skills required to secure more responsibility or a promotion with their current employers. Claire Bullard at Steps to Work is responsible for the work and health programme contract, which involved working heavily with data. Mrs Bullard wanted a formal qualification that would allow her to move into this as a career.

“Since starting this course, I have found that my work is now being completed not only quicker, but I am getting more valuable insights from it. I have noticed that since doing this course, I have received excellent feedback from our prime provider and senior contract managers in the DWP, so I feel that this course has elevated my existing work,” said Claire.

Digital skills bootcamps will have a significant role to play in uncovering potential tech talent and upskilling and retraining the workforce in digital capabilities.

Accordingly, I would encourage employers to search for existing digital skills partnerships in their area, and if possible, interact with the courses as a very focused, practical means of improving their access to necessary digital skills training.