The Prince’s Trust, in collaboration with Solutions Research and supported by Cognizant, has released a new report highlighting a growing ‘digital skills crisis’ among UK youth.
According to the findings, over one-third (37 per cent) of young people are concerned they lack the digital skills necessary for securing a good job. Additionally, more than two in five (41 per cent) feel uncertain about which skills to develop for their future careers.
The report, titled Decoding The Digital Skills Gap, exposes how limited knowledge, exposure, and access to digital skills training are hindering young people from pursuing relevant careers. This lack of digital confidence is especially pronounced among those already disadvantaged, such as individuals not in employment, education, or training (NEET) and those with limited internet access.
Lindsey Wright, Head of Future Sectors at The Prince’s Trust, remarked: “This research paints a bleak picture of a growing digital skills crisis, suggesting young people are not being equipped with the right knowledge, confidence, or opportunities to pursue digitally enabled jobs or training. As the employment landscape rapidly changes around them, we risk locking young people out of our economy and from pursuing their aspirations, while also failing to benefit from all that a rapidly growing, technology-led economy provides.”
The comprehensive study, which involved a nationally representative survey of 2,001 young people aged 16-30 and 20 focus groups across the UK, reveals that 37 per cent of young people are not studying digital or tech subjects beyond Key Stage 3. NEET young people are more likely to miss out on relevant studies (43 per cent versus 34 per cent), with many reporting that these subjects were either not offered or not encouraged.
Encouragingly, almost four in five (79 per cent) young people expressed interest in training or retraining in both basic and advanced digital skills.
The government’s 2022 Digital Strategy highlighted that over 80 per cent of UK job advertisements require digital skills, estimating the current skills gap costs the UK economy up to £63 billion annually, potentially rising to £120 billion by 2030. Despite this, over two-fifths (42 per cent) of young people do not see digital skills as essential for their future, with NEET individuals more likely to hold this view (52 per cent versus 38 per cent).
The research also indicates a disconnect between young people and digital careers. When presented with potential future roles like Robotics Engineer, Cyber Security Analyst, and Computer Games Developer, only 11 per cent felt these careers were suitable for them, despite acknowledging their lucrative and creative potential.
Josie Harrison, Research Director at Solutions Research, emphasised: “We found strong evidence that young people need significant support to ensure barriers to engaging with digital skills training and careers are removed. There is a clear need to raise awareness of the need for digital skills by educating on how relevant they are to different jobs and industries. It is vital to keep in mind that young people think about jobs first and foremost, so initiatives need to put employment outcomes at their centre.”
Rohit Gupta, Managing Director UK&I at Cognizant, added: “With global economies and employment landscapes changing at an unprecedented pace in the age of AI, working with The Prince’s Trust enables us to support young people from underrepresented and diverse backgrounds by giving them important opportunities to access skilling and teaching them how to succeed in the workforce of the future.”
Over the past two years, The Prince’s Trust has successfully integrated digital skills modules into programmes like Achieve, benefiting thousands of young people across the UK. These efforts are crucial as three in four young participants of Prince’s Trust programmes transition into work, education, or training.
The Prince’s Trust calls for collaborative action from employers, educators, and the government to enhance digital skills training and career guidance. By doing so, the UK can unlock the potential of its youth and ensure they are well-equipped to thrive in a technology-driven economy.
