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This week A-Level students received their results, many of whom are now working on the next steps. In the UK, high A-level results fell from last year, when 36.4 per cent of all grades were marked A* or A to offset rising inflation over the past two years.
A significant number of students have also been offered university or college places, and their first T-level results have been revealed for those taking new technical qualifications, with an overall pass rate of 92%.
But are school students fully prepared for the world of higher education and the careers that await them? UK tech vacancies grew by 191% between 2020-2021 – and are continuing to grow, according to BCS, the Chartered Institute of IT. But recruitment is difficult due to the ongoing shortage of skilled workers.
There seems to be a disconnect between what students learn in school and real-world job opportunities. Let’s discuss how industry leaders and educators can help address that gap.
Addressing the technology skills shortage
It’s undeniable that the skills shortage in the UK is about getting workers ready to manage an increasingly digital economy – and developing the next generation is a big part of that. according to Callum Adamson, Chief Executive Officer at Distribution; “The Government’s recent Digital Skills Strategy recognizes the important role technology will play in our nation’s future. With this in mind, it is imperative that all students are prepared to be technologically literate and ready for the increasingly digital world of work.
This is affecting several industries as well – cyber security and software development among them. according to Paul Anderson, VP UK & Ireland; FortinetThere is a significant skills shortage in cybersecurity in tech, and many organizations struggle to hire new talent. In fact, according to the 2022 Fortinet Global Research Report on Cybersecurity Skills Gap, seven out of 10 leaders see the recruitment of women and new graduates as their top employment barrier.
Indeed, this lack of awareness about the jobs that are in demand is having a huge impact on the youth. such as Ed Hoppit, Senior Director, Applications and Cloud Platforms at VMware Tanzu Comments, “Many may not be aware of the wide range of career opportunities available in the technology industry, even though it is where many of the jobs will be held in the future. As such, it is incumbent on the technology industry to provide the right ways for young people to develop the digital skills they need in today’s economy.
Alternative ways to strengthen technology
Like Fortnite Paul Anderson If the issue is that “most young people don’t consider cybersecurity as an option or a career,” as there are many jobs in tech, the next step for tech business leaders will be to open up. Pathways to a wider talent pool – especially for the youth.
Stuart Munton, Shipping Chief at and digital Commenting on the pressure to achieve the right standards in secondary education, this does not provide opportunities for many who actually do well in technology.
“While A-level results day is a celebration for many, for others it can feel like a let down and stressful – as continuous pressure is placed on results to determine future career paths. In society, be it individuals, educational institutions or businesses, we should instead recognize the value and opportunities of acquiring interpersonal skills such as teamwork, communication and practical problem solving.
“There is still an assumption that a career in technology requires deep technical skills or competencies. This means that students who are not attracted to these areas early in life, such as those who code for fun, are considered ‘non-technical’ at school. This assumption is dangerous – interests, A-levels , as it can inform higher education choices and future career choices.
Similarly, Sean Farrington, EVP EMEA at Many views They argue that there must be other ways to build a better pipeline of tech skills than universities offer to students.
Alongside university degrees, we should consider internships, tech bootcamps and online digital education as valid pathways into the industry. And learning doesn’t have to stop once the next generation of talent enters the workforce. Employers should offer employees the opportunity to learn in-demand skills ‘on the go’, with access to ongoing training and development.
Opening up more diversity in the industry
Expanding access to technology for young people will have far-reaching benefits. This will not only help fill any important gaps, but also increase technological diversity. such as VMware Tanzu by Ed Hoppitt “Software, apps and AI are only as good as the teams that bring them together – and the next generation of developers needs to be as diverse as possible, capturing the needs of our diverse community. The pipeline of talent into software development and the development of modern applications must come from grassroots involvement – ​​and the technology industry must play a role here.
Andy Whitehurst, UK CTO at Sopra Steria He agrees.. We need to consider the importance of divergent thinking in order to create the next technological offering. A few often create technology, but young people from diverse and minority backgrounds must be represented in the stages of consumer research, development and operation to increase future technology adoption and life expectancy. By encouraging role models of all backgrounds into critical tech roles, businesses can really get in the process of inspiring the next generation of employees to pursue tech careers.
Don’t get too attached to qualifications and results;Stuart Munton By AND Digital “Educational institutions should encourage students to look for jobs beyond the ‘obvious’ choice, and businesses should open their doors. A cultural, creative and caring attitude. They may not have all the technical skills at hand,” he said. But these can be learned on the job as needed.
“Opening up the pool of students applying for tech courses and ultimately leading to tech jobs in diverse, creative and innovative industries – and it’s these untapped creative minds that drive the future of work forward. Deep technical knowledge.”
Bringing technology into the curriculum
Finally, there is work to be done at an early stage to get more young people excited and suited for tech careers. Andy Whitehurst on Sopra Steria It suggests that the current national curriculum is not going far enough. It is estimated that technology jobs will grow by 13% by 2030, but this is not sufficiently reflected in the national curriculum or in the classroom. As technology becomes an important part of our lives, we need to give younger generations a way to build and use the technologies of the future.
Similarly, Callum Adamson distributed They agree: “This will undoubtedly require a wider spectrum of tech-based subjects and A-levels offered alongside traditional courses in the sciences and humanities. Qualifications such as T-levels are limited to a gradual rollout, with tech-based education not fit for purpose and less likely to offer the UK’s surprisingly high-tech roles such as software developers and cyber security professionals.
as a result, Mark Gray, Country Manager UK & Ireland, Universal Robots; In addition, “Government should provide free resources to all schools to ensure that students of all ages and backgrounds have access to essential learning resources.” These resources are critical for educators to provide adequate digital learning. This not only equips the students with the skills they need for the future, but also enables the country to benefit from competition and also benefits the economy.
at last, Matt Waring, Education Channel Manager at Logitech It suggests that hybrid work is by no means disappearing – and in this regard, students should be prepared with the right resources from day one. “Incorporating technology like versatile tablets, digital styluses, and smart AI-powered whiteboard cameras into everyday use in schools will enable students to work in creative ways, collaborate digitally with peers, and feel confident with technology — all of which will be valuable in their future careers.” Be the skills. The pandemic has seen a rapid acceleration in the adoption of technology in education; and with the results, impact and success we are seeing now is not the time to be complacent.
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