Recent research reveals a startling reality: there is a critical digital skills gap at the heart of UK businesses. 54% of the workforce are unable to do all 20 digital tasks essential for work – yet only 40% are considering upskilling in 2024. This skills gap poses a significant threat to business growth and competitiveness in an increasingly digital economy. FutureDotNow, the leading authority on UK workforce digital skills, has convened a coalition of leading industry, government, and civil society organisations to address this issue. Consisting of more than 230 coalition members, FutureDotNow is committed to accelerating digital upskilling and building a digitally competent workforce that can meet the demands of a digital future.
In 2024, FutureDotNow is focusing on three key areas: developing a national strategy for upskilling, providing tools and insights for employers, and understanding the cultural and motivational factors that drive digital skills improvement. After a successful strategy project in 2023, we were appointed to support the first sprint of 2024, which lasted 11 weeks.
Our team, comprised of consultants and designers contributed to project management, stakeholder engagement, and design. They created a comprehensive stakeholder map, developed personas to guide engagement strategies, and redesigned the FutureDotNow website to improve user experience. Whilst we were originally only involved with the two-employer action workstreams, our scope broadened to encompass all seven workstreams in the 2024 delivery plan. This expansion allowed us to have a more significant impact on the overall project and ensure all aspects of the upskilling initiative were aligned and effective.
Our remit included supporting two significant events which required extensive planning and preparation: an end-of-sprint workshop, which Oliver Wyman hosted and provided extensive planning and delivery support for, and the inaugural Workforce Digital Skills Summit for which Oliver Wyman provided key video content and facilitation. Both events were well-attended and highly commended by attendees. Together, they were pivotal in bringing together key stakeholders and fostering collaboration across sectors, highlighting the coalition’s potential to drive real change.
Our contributions were instrumental in helping the Sprint meet its milestones and elevating the profile of FutureDotNow’s crucial mission to bridge the UK’s digital skills gap. The positive feedback from participants underscored the importance of our valuable contribution as the FutureDotNow coalition build momentum towards achieving a UK workforce equipped with the digital skills it needs.