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<p>Ensuring that our children have the digital and computing skills needed for the
future is a key priority of this government. Demand for high-level skills in computing
will continue to grow in the years ahead and will be crucial to supporting a successful
economy.</p><p>To meet the demand for high-level skills in computing, the government
has introduced computing as a statutory national curriculum subject at all four key
stages and reformed the computer science GCSE and A Level. The reformed GCSE, introduced
for first teaching from September 2016, aims to ensure that all pupils understand
the fundamental principles of computer science, including knowledge on artificial
intelligence, programming, coding and data representation. The reformed A level places
emphasis on programming, algorithms and problem solving.</p><p>In March 2018, my right
hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, committed to making no further
changes to the national curriculum beyond those that had already been announced in
response to teacher feedback. Currently there are no plans to make further changes
to the national curriculum during this Parliament.</p><p> </p><p>In November 2018
DfE launched the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE), backed by £84 million
in new funding. The NCCE is run by a coalition of STEM Learning, the British Computing
Society and Raspberry Pi and supported by industry.</p><p> </p><p>The department is
introducing T Levels as a high quality, technical alternative to A levels. The first
T levels will start in September 2020, with all routes available from September 2022.
Digital is one of the first subjects that will be rolled out in 2020. The department
is also designing new apprenticeship standards that are more responsive to the needs
of business both now and in the future, ensuring that employers can secure the skills
they need to succeed.</p><p> </p><p>Finally, the government recently announced further
investment to drive up skills in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science and
support more adults to upskill and retrain to progress in their careers or find new
employment.</p><p>Up to 2,500 people from underrepresented groups will have the opportunity
to retrain and become experts in data science and AI, thanks to a £13.5 million investment
to fund new degree and Masters conversion courses and scholarships at UK academic
institutions over the next three years.</p><p> </p>
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