According to the Quantifying Data Skills Gap report, almost half of all workers surveyed had not received data skills training despite showing an interest, highlighting a disconnect between business and education.

The IT, software, and computer services sector is worth £50.7 billion annually to the British economy, so it's little surprise that data skills have become the currency of success.

From data analysis to machine learning, organisations across industries rely on skilled professionals to extract insights, drive innovation, and make informed decisions.

David Banaghan, Co-Founder and Interim CEO at recruitment systems provider, Occupop said: “With an estimated shortfall of 178.000 to 234,000 roles requiring hard data skills, this represents a significant hole in the UK economy, which is particularly pressing in a high-growth industry."

“With the supply of data scientists from the UK universities unlikely to exceed 10,000 per year, demand will continue to outpace supply, so businesses should look at improving access to digital skills training internally to remain competitive.”

Here are some top tips to help your workforce learn the language of tech:

Understanding the Data Skills Gap

Despite this clear demand for data skills, 46% of businesses are facing challenges in recruiting for data specialist roles.

This is also matched by workers saying they have not received any skills training within the same period. This highlights a need for businesses to upskill their existing workforce before looking externally.

Closing the Data Skills Gap

Arguably, to successfully bridge the data skills gap, businesses must collaborate with educational providers to create better pathways for digital skill development. Here is some food for thought:

Lifelong Learning Programmes

• Upskilling: Employers should invest in learning programs that empower employees to acquire new skills. These programs can include workshops, online courses, and certifications in data analytics, programming and machine learning.

• Flexible Learning: Many employees have diverse schedules and commitments. Offer flexible learning formats, such as microlearning modules, lunchtime seminars and evening classes to accommodate different learning preferences and fit training around client work.

Partnerships with Further Education

• Collaborate with Universities: Businesses can partner with universities to design curriculum that aligns with specific industry needs. Guest lectures, internships and joint research projects can bridge the gap between academia and practical skills.

• Support Bootcamps: Bootcamps and intensive training programs provide focused, hands-on learning experiences. Encourage employees to participate in these and consider sponsoring scholarships or tuition reimbursement.

Digital Apprenticeships

• Apprenticeships: Figures for the 2023/24 academic year show that apprenticeships are up 2.5% from the previous year, and it’s easy to see why. These combine on-the-job training with classroom learning, allowing individuals to gain practical experience while earning a wage.

• Government Support: Advocate for government funding and incentives to promote digital apprenticeships. Governments can play a crucial role in facilitating partnerships between businesses and apprenticeship providers.

Data Literacy Initiatives

• Company-Wide Data Literacy: Promote data literacy across all departments, not just IT or data science teams. Ensure everyone understands the basics of data analysis, visualisation and interpretation.

• Enrol Data Champions: Appoint designated data champions within different teams. These individuals can champion data literacy, answer questions and assist with data-driven decision-making.

The data skills gap is a challenge but also presents an opportunity for growth.

By investing in education, training and collaboration, forward-thinking businesses can empower their workforce to thrive in a digital future.