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<p>Digital and computing skills are critical to achieving the department’s science
and technology superpower ambitions, which were published in March 2023 in the UK
Science & Technology Framework. Programmers, data scientists, and other key digital
roles will help to deliver the department’s ambitions for the critical technologies
detailed in the Framework, like AI and Quantum, but their importance is not limited
to these technologies. These roles are fundamental to the wider labour market with
60% of businesses believing their reliance on advanced digital skills will increase
over the next five years.</p><p>The department is investing in employer led technical
skills and education, with courses and training in digital subjects often at the forefront
of its reforms. For example, the department has introduced three Digital T Levels.
These are gold-standard Level 3 technical qualifications designed with employers to
meet industry standards. They have a significant industry placement built in to give
experience of work within the digital sector.</p><p>There are also over 30 Digital
Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) now being taught. These are Level 4/5 qualifications
developed by awarding bodies in collaboration with employers so students can develop
the digital skills that employers want. Additionally, digital apprenticeships continue
to grow with over 22,000 starts in 2022/23, which is an increase of 19% from the previous
year.</p><p>The department is building on these initiatives through the Digital and
Computing Skills Education Taskforce which brings together government and external
expertise to increase the numbers of individuals taking digital and computing qualifications
in mainstream and tertiary education and to attract individuals into digital jobs.</p><p>The
department’s ambitious skills agenda is backed by an additional £3.8 billion in further
education and skills over this Parliament. The department is using this funding to
ensure people of all ages can access high quality training and education which addresses
skills gaps and boosts productivity. Key examples of how this funding has been used
to support digital skills can be seen in the introduction of 21 Institutes of Technology
(IoTs) across England, the introduction of the Free Courses for Jobs offer and the
national roll out of Digital Skills Bootcamps.</p><p>IoTs are leaders in the provision
of high quality higher level technical education. They are employer-led collaborations
that bring together the best of existing further education provision with higher education
partners to develop a high skilled, diverse workforce that is designed to respond
to evolving sector needs. IoTs aim to help close skills gaps in STEM sectors, like
digital. By establishing IoTs as a permanent network of ‘go to’ providers with deep
employer relationships for Level 4/5 higher level STEM training, they play a critical
role in boosting local economies and delivering the Lifelong Learning Entitlement
and HTQs.</p><p>Launched in April 2021, the Free Courses for Jobs offer allows eligible
adults to access over 400 Level 3 qualifications (A level equivalent) for free, including
those linked with digital careers. These courses are ideal for those adults over 50
without a Level 3 qualification that are looking to improve their digital skills,
retrain or upskill to meet their potential.</p><p>Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible
courses of up to 16 weeks for adults aged 19 or over, with courses available in digital
subjects such as software development, cyber security, and data analytics. The majority
of the trailblazers in Skills Bootcamps launched in 2020, were Digital. Digital training
constituted the biggest element of the department’s provision in the ensuing waves
of delivery in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24 financial years.</p><p>More Skills
Bootcamps in Digital are being delivered through the launch of a Dynamic Purchasing
System (DPS) which enables the department to procure Skills Bootcamps in response
to quickly emerging skills needs and changing employment patterns. The department
focused on Skills Bootcamps in digital skills as a priority for the first competition
run from the DPS, and Digital skills are further included in the second competition.</p><p>Digital
skills are increasingly critical for all citizens, enabling them to play a full part
in society. Through the Adult Education Budget, the department introduced a new legal
entitlement in 2020 for adults to study free, high quality Essential Digital Skills
Qualifications and, from August 2023, new digital Functional Skills Qualifications.
These qualifications were developed against employer supported National Standards
and provide learners with the essential digital skills they need to participate actively
in life, work and society.</p><p>The government recognises that formal qualifications
are not appropriate for everyone, which is why it 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. From next year, the
Adult Skills Fund will continue to support both qualification-based learning and tailored
learning (which will include non-regulated learning to build digital skills) so adults
can retrain and upskill in the most effective way.</p><p>Through skills reforms, the
government is continuing to ensure learners are supported, including those who need
the most support, to train, retrain and upskill so they can climb the ladder of opportunity
towards better jobs, better wellbeing, and better options for the future.</p>
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