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<p>Ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, have the world class
computing and digital knowledge and skills that they need for the future is a key
priority of this government.</p><p>To help meet the demand for people with computing
and digital qualifications and competencies, the department introduced computing as
a statutory English National Curriculum subject in 2014, from Key Stages 1 to 4 inclusive.
Through computing, pupils become digitally literate so that they are able to use,
express themselves and develop their ideas through information and communication technology
at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital
world.</p><p>The computer science GCSE and A level were also introduced in 2013, through
which students are taught to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts
of computer science. In addition, there are high quality vocational and technical
digital qualifications available that are counted in the Key Stage 4 and Key Stage
5 performance tables, which provide alternative pathways towards digital careers.
Information on the Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 performance tables can be found here:
<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-stage-4-qualifications-discount-codes-and-point-scores"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-stage-4-qualifications-discount-codes-and-point-scores</a>
and <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/16-to-19-qualifications-discount-codes-and-point-scores"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/16-to-19-qualifications-discount-codes-and-point-scores</a>,
respectively.</p><p>The department has invested over £100 million in the National
Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) to improve the teaching of computing and drive
up participation in computer science at GCSE and A level. The NCCE provides high quality
continuing professional development and resources to teachers of all Key Stages and
engages with schools and colleges across England to improve their computing provision.
This includes facilitating industry-led events for pupils on careers in computing
and digital.</p><p>The department is also investing to fix the basics by improvinge
broadband access and connectivity and sett standards for technology infrastructure
to help create an environment where all schools and trusts can use technology effectively.
The department is working with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
and commercial providers to accelerate gigabit capable broadband rollout to schools
and investing up to £200 million to upgrade schools that fall below Wi-Fi connectivity
standards in Education Investment Areas.</p><p>The government recognises that digital
skills are important for adults of all ages, and the department is committed to improving
their level of digital skills to support active participation in society.</p><p>From
August 2020, the department introduced a digital entitlement for adults with no or
low digital skills to undertake specified digital qualifications free of charge. The
new entitlement mirrors the existing legal entitlements for English and maths and
puts essential digital skills on an equal footing in the adult education system, as
the third essential skill adults need for work, life and further learning.</p><p>The
department introduced new Essential Digital Skills qualifications (EDSQs) at entry
level and Level 1 from August 2020, which are funded under the digital entitlement.
EDSQs are based on the national standards for essential digital skills and are designed
to meet the diverse needs of adults with no or low digital skills byreflecting different
learning needs, motivations and starting points.</p><p>To further enhance the essential
digital skills offer for adults, from August 2023 the department introduced new digital
Functional Skills qualifications (FSQs), which replaced FSQs in Information and Communication
Technology. Digital FSQs have standardised content and assessment and provide a benchmark
of digital skills for employers. These are based on subject content for digital FSQs
that the department published in October 2021.</p><p>In addition to formal qualifications,
the department also funds community learning and other non-regulated learning, such
as building confidence in essential digital skills, through the Adult Education Budget.
Many Local Authorities and other further education providers are already delivering
these courses that help equip adults with the essential digital skills they need for
work, life and further learning.</p><p>Of course, people may look to progress beyond
essential digital skills, through a desire to retrain or upskill. Through the department’s
wider skills reforms, which is backed by an additional £3.8 billion in further education
and skills over the lifetime of this Parliament, it has continued to ensure learners,
whatever their age, can train, retrain and upskill towards better jobs, better wellbeing
and better options for the future.</p><p>The department has introduced three Digital
T Levels, which include Digital Business Services, Digital Production, Design and
Development, and Digital Support Services. They are the gold-standard Level 3 technical
qualification that are designed with employers to meet industry standards and with
a significant industry placement built in to give that all-important experience of
work within the digital sector. Digital skills are increasingly important across all
occupations and as a result, every T Level has the digital skills necessary for employment
embedded into its curriculum.</p><p>Additionally, employers have designed over 30
high-quality digital apprenticeships to support them to develop the skilled workforces
they need, including Level 3 Information Communications Technician, Level 3 IT Solutions
Technician and Level 3 Digital Support Technician. The department is increasing investment
in the apprenticeships system in England to £2.7 billion in the 2024/25 financial
year to support employers in delivering high-quality apprenticeships.</p><p>Employers
and learners can also make use of the department’s Skills Bootcamp offer, which provides
free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up
sector-specific skills with an offer of a job interview upon completion. Skills bootcamps
in digital form our largest sector and are available in each English region and online
with courses ranging from software development to AI and Machine Learning.</p><p>More
information about digital skills and other government-funded training opportunities
can be found at the following link: <a href="https://www.skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk/pages/skills-for-life"
target="_blank">https://www.skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk/pages/skills-for-life</a>.</p>
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