From Tools to Training: Addressing the Digital Skills Gap

We’re in an era of rapid technological advancements. So, why is there a digital skills gap? We explore why small businesses must invest not only in new technology but also in equipping their employees with the skills and knowledge to make the most of it

To truly grasp the digital skills gap, it’s important to recognise that it’s not just about individuals struggling with the latest software or reluctance to learn new skills. In fact, nearly 30% of UK employees report feeling that they lack the proper training or knowledge to handle the digital aspects of their jobs effectively. Yet almost 90% of young workers—those most likely to be entering the job market—believe these skills are essential for their career growth. This disparity highlights the urgent need for better training and support in the workplace.

The Struggle to Keep Pace

For businesses to benefit from new technologies, they must ensure their teams are equipped with the right expertise to effectively utilise these tools. Without this balance, the potential of cutting-edge technology remains untapped, and businesses may struggle to keep pace in a competitive landscape.

The digital skills gap spans five key areas: information and content management, communication, transactions, problem solving, and digital safety and legality. For businesses, it’s essential to support their employees in closing gaps in each of these areas to ensure that all ‘essential tasks’ required for their roles are effectively met.

The sheer pace of technological advancement has left many employees feeling left behind, leading to decreased productivity and recruitment difficulties for businesses. Additionally, the introduction of new job roles across various industries—such as the growing use of AI—has resulted in technology evolving faster than organizations can identify and address gaps in user knowledge.

Painting a Clearer Picture

To counter this, businesses should consider conducting a skills gap analysis for all employees. This approach will help identify existing skills gaps and provide a clearer understanding of the digital tasks required for each job role. It will also highlight the skills and training that need to be integrated into the organisational strategy to bridge these gaps effectively.

It’s equally important for businesses to implement a continuous review system for both existing and newly introduced technology. As systems and programs are frequently updated, training should be ongoing to reflect these changes. Training staff when a system is first introduced is not enough—ongoing training is essential with each update or modification. The system employees use today may technically be the same one they use a year from now, but its appearance and functionality could be significantly different.

Getting Expert Advice

The challenge of being able to ensure that workers’ skills are constantly updated alongside technology that moves at breakneck pace is a considerable challenge. One effective way to address this is through training partnerships. By collaborating with external partners, particularly digital skills experts, small businesses can access specialised knowledge that is unavailable within the existing team. It also frees up internal resources, allowing businesses to focus on their core operations while ensuring their teams are well-prepared to handle new technological demands.

Bridging the digital skills gap goes beyond simply providing the right tools—it requires targeted training and a comprehensive analysis of the specific digital functions critical to a business’s success. As the world shifts towards a future shaped by AI, generative technologies and automated workflows, it’s essential for businesses to ensure their employees’ skills keep pace. Otherwise, your business—and your employees—risk being left behind.