29 March 2025
Since launching Routes to 20 million, our delivery plan for 2025 in January, cross-sector teams have been busy mobilising working groups and making progress. Earlier this month, we came together to reflect on progress and plan for the rest of the year.
Thank you to everyone that was able to join us, for bringing their energy, insight and expertise! There’s more detail on the progress of specific workstreams in these slides, but here are some of the early wins for 2025:
Evidence of influencing Government strategy
- Framework adoption – The new Digital Inclusion Action Plan sees the Government commit to: “Enhance support for the framework that helps people and businesses get the essential skills they need to get online safely and with confidence” and “Active cross-governmental sponsorship of a common framework”. This is music to the ears of the Future-fit Framework team!
- Economic and social value – The Action Plan sets out that “Government will work with FutureDotNow to build the economic and social value case to incentivise businesses to upskill employees with the essential digital skills for work”.
- Workforce Digital Skills Charter – The Government commits to “promote the Charter amongst private and third sector stakeholders”. This year we are keen to see a step change in charter signatories, so this public support is hugely valuable.
Building the business case
- Publication of reports into both the economic impact and social value of building essential digital skills for work are now imminent and will play a major role in building the business case for further action from government and industry.
Social Value in procurement
- Strong progress on the Social Value guidance for commissioners is moving us one step closer to unlocking digital skills as a tangible method of demonstrating social value, as part of the Procurement Act 2023. Thanks to Anna, Dave, Katie and Emma for keeping this work moving.
Building Digital Motives
- Sponsored by DSIT, work is well underway to create an evidence-based report that helps employers improve the effectiveness of their upskilling and engagement programmes. Lots of you have contributed your stories, and this project is consolidating the latest insights from across business on what works to help adults build essential digital skills.
Industry sponsors confirmed for three Pathways
- Pathway 1: Sector – Marsh McLennan
- Pathway 3: Skill area – Deloitte
- Pathway 4: Not in Work – Accenture
Working sessions have also been set up with potential sponsors for Pathway 2: Place (5th June) and our Influence Pathway: Breaking the Cycle for young people (10th June). If you’d like to join either of these sessions, please let us know at hello@futuredotnow.uk.
Business leadership in action
Thanks to the intervention of Amey’s Naomi O’Neill (co-lead of the Construction and Infrastructure action community in our Sector Pathway), digital skills training is now mandatory for the firm’s senior leaders.
How to get involved
Thank you again to everyone who joined the end of Sprint 1 workshop and those on workstream teams. If you’re not yet involved in our national change programme, there are still lots of ways to play a role.
- Express your interest with this short form.
- Our Sprint 2 kick off call is on Tue 27 May, 2-3pm. Fill in the form above to receive an invite and you can save the date here.