Why Digital Literacy Is Vital to Tackling the Tech Skills Gap

The digital age has transformed the job market, yet there is a growing concern about the widening tech skills gap. For the first time in history, there are more job vacancies in the UK than unemployed people, with around two million unfilled roles within the tech sector alone.

This shortage is largely driven by the rapidly evolving technology landscape and the rise of innovative industries. To thrive in this environment, young people need to be equipped with a solid foundation in digital literacy, empowering them to navigate both the current workforce and the future job market.

Digital Literacy: The Key to Bridging the Skills Gap

In order to succeed in today’s job market, young people must be equipped with a range of digital literacy skills. These include the ability to use essential tools like email, word processors, and databases, as well as the skills to work independently online. While these may seem basic to those already established in their careers, they are critical for young people as they prepare for an increasingly digital world.

The problem, however, is that many schools aren’t adequately preparing students with the digital skills needed for the future. The pandemic accelerated digital transformation, but there remains a gap in how well young people are trained in using digital tools effectively. Schools must provide digital literacy education that helps students build a strong foundation in these skills—skills that are transferable across industries, and essential for success in almost any career.

The Role of Schools in Teaching Digital Literacy

It’s unrealistic to expect schools to teach every specific tech skill a young person may need for a particular career. Instead, what is crucial is the teaching of core digital literacy skills that will serve students across many different fields. These include understanding how digital technologies, such as AI or coding, work. It’s not about mastering the details, but about giving students a base knowledge that enables them to pick up more specific skills quickly as their careers evolve.

For example, while not every student needs to know how to develop AI by age 16, embedding a foundational understanding of how AI works will make it easier for them to engage with more advanced concepts later on. This approach ensures students are empowered as well-rounded global citizens, ready to tackle the big issues of tomorrow’s world.

How Families Can Support Digital Literacy Education

While schools play a critical role, families also need to invest in their children’s digital education. At ACS International School Cobham, we encourage parents to get involved by attending hands-on digital sessions, such as iPad workshops, and engaging in conversations about being responsible online. These sessions help foster an environment where families can learn alongside their children, ensuring they stay up to date with the digital skills young people need.

Interactive Digital Skills for Young Learners

At ACS Cobham, we focus on embedding digital literacy from an early age. Early Childhood and Lower School students (ages 2-10) take part in weekly interactive digital skills sessions. These sessions go beyond basic technology use, introducing students to 3D printing, coding, and robotics. By actively involving teachers in these sessions, we create a feedback loop where new digital knowledge is shared and integrated into classroom teaching, ensuring the learning benefits extend throughout the school.

Empowering Students through Digital Design

As students move into Middle School (ages 10-14) and High School (ages 14-19), they can opt to join Digital Design Club. Here, students take charge of their learning, using design skills to create immersive Augmented Reality (AR) experiences. For example, students explore how to design more accessible spaces, linking their projects to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This hands-on approach gives students a deeper understanding of how to apply their digital literacy in real-world scenarios.

Looking Ahead: Preparing Young People for the Future of Tech

So, what more can we do to ensure that young people are prepared for the tech-driven world of work? Beyond strategic investment in schools and resources, we need to continuously evaluate how effective our digital education programmes are. While industry trends and technology are always evolving, the importance of digital literacy will only grow. By staying ahead of the curve, supporting ongoing professional development for teachers, and using the latest data to inform our practices, we can ensure that students are well-prepared for lifelong learning and equipped to overcome the tech skills shortage.

Through a commitment to building a solid foundation in digital literacy, we can give young people the skills and confidence to thrive in the digital world and the ever-evolving job market.

By Lyndsey Stuttard, Digital Learning and Teaching Specialist, ACS Cobham