Press release
17 September 2024
Industry calls for change. Leading voices across banking, business, retail and industry unite to pledge action on crucial workforce digital skills.
- Leading industry coalition, FutureDotNow, is uniting employers to launch the Workforce Digital Skills Charter, a rallying cry for concerted action to close the essential digital skills gap in the UK workforce.
- Leading UK business voices and household names including Accenture, Amey, Barclays, CIPD, Cisco, Lloyds Banking Group, M&S, Nationwide, Oliver Wyman, PwC and Salesforce are among a powerful cohort of more than 100 cross-sector Charter signatories, as more are encouraged to sign.
- There is a hidden yet widespread lack of basic digital skills and confidence among working-age adults. Nearly 22m adults are missing the digital essentials for work[i] and risk being left behind. The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation adds urgency, given the risk of major workforce displacement.
- A digitally capable workforce can secure economic growth, provide opportunities for all and ensure the UK keeps pace with the rest of the world. It will also fortify against cyber threats, reducing risks for individuals and organisations alike.
- The Charter follows a cross-industry open letter that called for the Government to leverage energy from industry and support a much-needed Great Digital Catch Up, to close the critical digital skills gap and help the UK truly power up for growth
Digital skills charity FutureDotNow has announced the launch of the Workforce Digital Skills Charter, a document designed to galvanise and unite industry and civil society around a common purpose and commit them to pool their resources and collective power to drive change.
FutureDotNow is a cross-sector coalition focussed on driving action on essential workplace digital skills by coordinating industry action to equip people across the UK with the Essential Digital Skills they need to thrive in work and prepare for our digital future.
The digital skills coalition has developed the Charter in collaboration with industry stakeholders to help guide collective ambition and truly move the dial on largely hidden skills gap that threatens productivity, prosperity and growth.
21.7 million people (54% of the UK labour force) lack proficiency in essential digital tasksi. This is not an advanced skills gap. Millions of UK workers can’t complete essential tasks such as accessing online payslips, using collaboration tools, and basic online safety.
This gap is present in all regions, sectors, income levels, and education backgrounds across the UK.
FutureDotNow is calling on the new government to support a much-needed Great Digital Catch Up, to positively impact economic growth and break down barriers to opportunity for all.
Starting with three low-cost steps, the charity is setting out how government can take rapid action move millions of working-age adults up the digital value chain, enabling and encouraging business to attack the workforce digital deficit at scale and pace.
Building a digitally capable workforce will secure and grow jobs, boost economic opportunities in all regions and ensure we keep pace with the world. Without action, the skills gap will widen, leaving many unable to access good jobs or essential public services, which will only be exacerbated by the predicted impact of AI and automation.
Liz Williams MBE, FutureDotNow CEO says:
“The world has become digital by default, and it is vital that we take action to help adults build strong digital foundations and confidence.
“With millions of working-age adults lacking essential digital skills, the stakes and potential benefits of addressing this issue are enormous. A digitally fluent workforce will boost growth, productivity, and create new opportunities for all.
“Many businesses are already leading the way, and the Workforce Digital Skills Charter represents a public commitment to take action, both individually and collectively, to build a future-fit, digitally confident workforce. Together, we can drive change at a greater pace and close the workforce digital skills gap for the benefit of us all.”
Zahra Bahrololoumi CBE, CEO of Salesforce UKI says:
“Emerging digital technologies like generative AI are revolutionising how businesses interact with customers and the way we work,” said Zahra Bahrololoumi CBE, CEO of Salesforce UKI. “The UK AI market alone is predicted to reach over $1 trillion by 2035, with the potential to drive major growth for UK business.”
“However, to capitalise on this opportunity we need to ensure our workforce is digitally equipped. Our insights highlight that AI is ranked as the most important skill to have in the next four years, yet just one in 10 UK workers feel they have AI skills – evidencing the digital skills shortage facing the UK.”
“Salesforce is proud to support FutureDotNow to urgently call on the government to help close the digital skills gap. Only by working together as all stakeholders, can we take action to better support workers to navigate this new era,” added Bahrololoumi.
Deborah O’Neill, Partner, and Head of Digital Europe for Oliver Wyman says:
“It is clear the closure of the digital skills gap can only be achieved through robust cross-sector collaboration and imperative to also recognise that closing this gap is crucial for driving the UK growth agenda, optimising productivity, and unlocking new opportunities.
“Through this pioneering initiative, the Charter serves as a unifying force, providing a focal point that brings together industry, government, and civil society in a collective effort to address the significant digital skills gap within the UK workforce.”
Michael Burgess, Chief People Officer of Amey, says:
“The digital skills gap is a pressing yet often underestimated challenge. At Amey, we operate a unique ecosystem of technology and data platforms, and we are dedicated to ensuring that as technology continues to evolve, working-age adults across the UK are equipped, informed, and empowered to thrive in the modern workforce.
“Amey is thrilled to partner with FutureDotNow and join other innovative businesses in launching the Workforce Digital Skills Charter, marking a crucial step in reducing the digital skills gap.”
Peter Cheese, Chief Executive at CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development says:
“Having identified this digital skills gap and its implications, it is vital we work together to close it. Cross-sector engagement, government support, and education will all be needed to ensure we are equipping our workforce for a more digital future. The Workforce Digital Skills Charter is an excellent opportunity for employers to coalesce around a collective mission to make sure this happens.
ENDS
For more information, please contact Chris Andersson, Communications Manager at FutureDotNow at chris.andersson@futuredotnow.uk.
Notes to editors
FutureDotNow is uniting business to close the essential digital skills gap in the UK workforce.
Established in December 2019, FutureDotNow is a coalition of industry leaders focused on closing the digital skills gap for working-age adults. We are uniting business to tackle this gap in fundamental digital capability and confidence and build a future-fit workforce, one that can capitalise on the opportunities of emerging technology and support economic growth, breaking down barriers to opportunity for all.
Our action-centred coalition cuts across all business sectors.
FutureDotNow convenes the reach and influence of industry leaders such as Accenture, Amey, Barclays, City and Guilds, City of London, Deloitte, Marks and Spencer, NHS England, Nominet, Oliver Wyman, PwC, Salesforce and UFI VocTech Trust, alongside with many others.
Through our members’ employees, customers, and supply chains, we have a reach of millions. Together we can have an exponential impact, closing the digital skills gap through collaboration and coordinated action.
In 2023, FutureDotNow published The UK workforce digital skills gap: Why closing it matters and a roadmap for actionwith insight from DSIT, DfE, DWP and the Cabinet Office.
This was followed in January 2024, by The 2024 Delivery Plan to Close the Workforce Digital Skills Gap. FutureDotNow has convened a group of more than 40 leading organisations to work together and deliver the objectives the plan sets out.
[i] Lloyds Bank Consumer Digital Index 2023.
Notes to editors
FutureDotNow is uniting business to close the essential digital skills gap in the UK workforce.
Established in December 2019, FutureDotNow is a coalition of industry leaders focused on closing the digital skills gap for working-age adults. We are uniting business to tackle this gap in fundamental digital capability and confidence and build a future-fit workforce, one that can capitalise on the opportunities of emerging technology and support economic growth, breaking down barriers to opportunity for all.
Our action-centred coalition cuts across all business sectors.
FutureDotNow convenes the reach and influence of industry leaders such as Accenture, Amey, Barclays, City and Guilds, City of London, Deloitte, Marks and Spencer, NHS England, Nominet, Oliver Wyman, PwC, Salesforce and UFI VocTech Trust, alongside with many others.
Through our members’ employees, customers, and supply chains, we have a reach of millions. Together we can have an exponential impact, closing the digital skills gap through collaboration and coordinated action.
In 2023, FutureDotNow published The UK workforce digital skills gap: Why closing it matters and a roadmap for actionwith insight from DSIT, DfE, DWP and the Cabinet Office.
This was followed in January 2024, by The 2024 Delivery Plan to Close the Workforce Digital Skills Gap. FutureDotNow has convened a group of more than 40 leading organisations to work together and deliver the objectives the plan sets out.
[i] Lloyds Bank Consumer Digital Index 2023.