Government Introduces New Digital Skills Qualifications

The UK government, along with industry, has backed a new set of qualifications aimed at supplying the demand for workers with skills required to perform in a digital job.

Earlier this week, Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey announced that new Degree Apprenticeships, where candidates can complete a full honour degree alongside paid employment with no tuition fees, are going to be launched in the new year.

The first of these Degree Apprenticeships will be available in the digital sector with the expectation that they will meet the needs of those seeking careers in business analysis, software development and technology consultancy, as well as other relevant areas.

The government claims the programme includes a fully-integrated degree testing both academic learning and on-the-job practical training.

It has been co-created by leading tech employers and top universities.

Short Courses Also Available

As well as digital Degree Apprenticeships, Vaizey has also introduced new industry-designed short courses designed to enhance digital skills across the workforce.

These education programmes will provide intensive training with content that keeps pace with changing technologies and employer needs, as well as a flexible delivery model so learners’ needs can be met.

It is hoped that these qualifications will give employers across the country the confidence that they can hire people with the skills they require.

“These new digital qualifications are the latest example of government working in partnership with academia and industry to ensure that education and training routes are providing the skills which employers need now and for the future,” claimed the Digital Skills Minister.

“We have already put coding into the school curriculum and our rollout of superfast broadband, backed by over £1bn government investment in our digital infrastructure, has now passed more than 1.5 million homes and business and is reaching 40,000 more each week,” Vaizey added.

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