In this webinar, Lorna Willis (CEO, TechSkills) host a discussion with academic experts from The Open University – Jill Shaw and Autumn Thomson – alongside employer partner Jon Evans (Powys County Council) and Phoebe Chapman (RDT Ltd), an OU alumna.
The panel explores the UK’s complex digital skills gap, the impact of AI, and how apprenticeships and flexible learning help organisations build future ready digital teams.
Discussion overview
The current state of the digital skills gap
- What are the major shortage areas?
- The difficulties of external recruitment.
AI’s impact on roles and productivity
- AI automates routine tasks, improving efficiency and freeing staff for people focused work.
- Both public and private sectors report AI as an enabler, supporting better services.
Early career requirements are shifting
- Entry-level roles are declining, increasing demand for critical thinking and digital literacy.
- The impact of this shift on talent pipelines.
Apprenticeships and degree courses build sustainable talent pipelines
- New OU apprenticeships and flexible degrees help organisations grow talent internally.
- Work-based learning lets staff apply skills immediately and boosts retention.
Success Stories
- Apprentices at RDT engage with local schools and build talent from within the local community.
- Powys County Council grows local talent in a rural area with few nearby universities.
Watch this insightful discussion on demand to help your thinking around digital skills and training.
