According to new data published today, the skills taught by free government-backed bootcamps can result in average wages reaching £70,000, which is two and a half times the UK average. Beauhurst’s results also suggest that technology occupations pay 55% higher than the national average.
This comes as the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) starts a campaign to encourage more individuals to sign up for digital skills bootcamps in cloud computing, cybersecurity, software development, and other areas.
The study, produced by Barclays Eagle Labs and Beauhurst and financed by DSIT’s Digital Growth Grant, found that demand for technical expertise increased in 2022 following a dip during the pandemic.
While IT job postings declined over the previous year, demand for junior and entry-level positions remained high as technology organizations battled to find the early career talent they required to meet their development plans.
The initiative complements larger government measures to reward labor and stimulate prosperity, such as lowering National Insurance Contributions for millions of workers in the UK, saving the average worker £450 per year.
Scale-up enterprises that have previously showed strong potential and are in the’venture-stage’ led this demand, with the high-growth category hiring over one-third (31.3%) of all digital positions.
Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said today that encouraging scale-up business and addressing the skills gap are two of DSIT’s three goals for the next year.
The thirst and opportunity for expansion among British scale-ups is great; we cannot allow digital skills shortages to impede their ambition.
Whether your own desire is to get a comfortable salary, find a creative post, address the world’s most serious concerns, or all three, the Skills Bootcamps we’re advertising today can help you reach your own professional goals while working in our powerhouse industry.
Each bootcamp will consist of 16-week classes that will train students for high-tech employment, with each participant promised an interview upon completion. There are no technical or educational requirements to gain a position. More information and instructions on how to apply are provided here.
Digital skills are one of the sectors where £550 million in financing is intended to train 64000 individuals through bootcamps by 2024-2025.
DSIT launched the program, which focuses on improving five core skills to fill shortages in British tech talent: cloud computing, software development, data and analytics, cybersecurity, and web development.
The courses are accessible part-time and full-time around the country, with many providers giving flexibility to ensure that everyone can benefit.
Adie Nunn attended a government-funded web developer bootcamp with School of Code and currently works for BAE Systems Digital Intelligence.
Prior to discovering the bootcamp, Adie had a “spotty” career, hopping between jobs. This includes working as an event promoter for a pub firm, followed by front-of-house for pop-up events.
I’ve always had an interest in computers and technology. But, without a computer science degree and having failed my advanced math and computers classes in school, I never saw myself working in technology.
After changing jobs and getting laid off due to the epidemic, I enrolled in the School of Code bootcamp and have never looked back. The technical and soft skills I gained on the course were critical in getting my present position as a software engineer at BAE Systems Digital Intelligence, where I work on exciting and demanding projects.
Adie’s Skills Bootcamp was financed by the Department for Education (DfE) as part of the same project, which is receiving a new marketing push from today.
The Digital Skills Council, comprising prominent technology firms such as Google and Amazon Web Services (AWS), along with skills-oriented organizations like Future Dot Now, has endorsed the campaign. Phil Smith, Co-Chair of the Digital Skills Council and Chairman of IQE, expressed approval for the research, emphasizing its affirmation of the Council’s mission to unite government and industry efforts in enhancing the UK’s confidence, capability, and leadership in digital skills.
Digital Skills are crucial for the overall economy, and effective programs like bootcamps play a significant role in providing targeted upskilling and a proven pathway to rewarding and high-value jobs.
Katie O’Donovan, Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy at Google and a member of the Digital Skills Council, emphasized the commitment to helping people acquire the skills necessary for the country’s digital economy. Google has actively contributed to this goal since 2015, reaching over 500 locations in the UK and assisting over a million individuals in gaining valuable digital skills. O’Donovan highlighted initiatives like the Google Cloud engineer bootcamps, which create opportunities for young individuals to launch successful careers in the tech industry and enhance their earning potential.
Amanda Allan, Director of Barclays Eagle Labs, reiterated the findings of the new Eagle Labs report, emphasizing the continuous growth of the technology sector and the availability of well-compensated opportunities. The report highlights the tech sector’s potential to enhance prospects for individuals across the UK. Barclays Eagle Labs actively supports the growth of the technology sector, offering one of the largest entrepreneurial networks in the UK, including the Digital Growth Grant, which has already supported over a thousand businesses through 13 growth programs.
Tanuja Randery, EMEA Managing Director at Amazon Web Services, expressed the commitment to making skills and training accessible to everyone for career growth. AWS is investing significant funds to provide free cloud skills and AI training, including homegrown UK programs like AWS re/Start, targeting learners with limited technology experience and preparing them for cloud careers at no cost. Randery emphasized that affordable and robust training programs are crucial to building a future talent pipeline, ensuring the UK remains competitive on the global tech stage.
Hugh Milward, VP of External Affairs at Microsoft UK, welcomed the Advanced Digital Skills communications campaign, emphasizing Microsoft’s belief in the critical role of digital skills in the AI era. Microsoft’s programs, such as the apprenticeship connector, DigiGirlz, and the commitment to supporting AI training for 1 million people in the UK, aim to provide opportunities for individuals to learn about technology and pursue careers in the field.
Andrew Roughan, CEO at Plexal, stressed the importance of closing the skills gap in the UK’s tech sector to maintain competitiveness and achieve the government’s ambition of becoming a science and tech superpower by 2030. He encouraged businesses to support ongoing upskilling of existing staff to ensure a continuous talent pipeline beneficial to the UK economy.
Source : Indianeducationdiary
