Technology and skills in the digital industries

The digital sector is at the heart of the UK economy, underpinning growth through the technology it develops and the services it provides. Many firms across the digital industries use technology intensively, but little is known about the skills needs specific to emerging technologies in the sector. This research focuses on four emerging technologies; cyber security, mobile technologies, cloud computing and green [information technology] IT. By combining data analysis, literature reviews and qualitative interviews with employers and experts, the research provides a comprehensive assessment on the nature of skills needs, job roles and career pathways for these technologies. Overall, the findings show that employers still require IT specialists to have a core base of technical competencies, but in order to break into new technologies, technical expertise needs to become more rounded, with multiple specialisms needed. There is also a need for IT specialists to translate how customers can apply and use new technologies. If the digital sector is able to exploit the potential of new technologies, it will need to adapt to the pace of change by building up the capabilities of its workforce and finding new ways to bring new people into the sector.

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