Collective action for a digital world

Despite significant progress, there remains a digital skills crisis in the UK.

It’s been an exceptional period. The pandemic has provided the biggest proof of concept for what digital can deliver. It’s unsurprising that the digital capability levels of our nation have changed, with the number of people deemed to have the Essential Digital Skills (EDS) for Work rising dramatically.

But the changes we’ve seen in the last 12 months comes after unprecedented social restrictions compelled millions of people to do more online. Our world is becoming increasingly digital, post-pandemic the rate of change is speeding up, and too many people are still being left behind.

This skills gap is holding us back. It’s damaging the UK’s competitiveness and productivity. But something can be done.

In our 2021-22 Annual Review, ‘Collective action for a digital world’, we look at post-pandemic data, and present a ‘state of the nation’ for workplace digital skills, reflecting on the huge impact Covid-19 has had on digital habits, and the work still to be done.

Through this data and the insight and experiences from large businesses such as Asda, Barclays, The Weir Group and West Midlands Combined Authority, we make the case for commitment and business collaboration to help address the essential digital skills gap.