Addressing the AI skills gap will be key for the workforce of the future
It is no secret that the UK is suffering from an AI skills gap. With technology advancing at such a rapid rate, with no sign of slowing down, it is difficult for professionals and organisations to keep up with the new demands of the workplace.
A recent Salesforce survey revealed that 60% of public sector IT professionals identified a shortage of artificial intelligence skills as their top challenge for implementing AI. It also found that IT professionals in the public sector are about a third more likely to say there’s an AI skills gap in their organisation, compared to the industry average.
While the skills gap is universal, public sector organisations are clearly feeling the strain, owing to budget constraints and tight workloads.
But AI’s benefits are vast. From automating routine tasks to improving customer experiences. The possibilities are endless and the UK clearly sees itself at the forefront of AI innovation. In February, Michelle Donelan, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology described the UK as a ‘world leader’ in both AI safety and development.
It’s important that public sector organisations are not left behind, if the UK wants to truly remain a world leader. And for that to happen, the skills gap must be addressed and more work must be done to enable those at the heart of local services to use AI.
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AI is for everyone
Fortunately, the government is already starting to put the steps in place to educate and upskill the nation. Earlier this year, Michelle Donelan announced a fresh new initiative to encourage people of all ages to pursue careers in IT. Whether they’re a student looking for their first role, or a professional looking to switch careers.
Backed by the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT), the Skills Bootcamp campaign aims to improve five priority skills, covering cloud computing, software development, data and analytics, cybersecurity, and web development.
“Whether your personal ambition is to secure a comfy pay packet, land a creative role, solve the world’s most pressing challenges, or all three, the Skills Bootcamps we are promoting today can help you achieve your own career goals while being part of our superpower sector,” Ms Donelan said in a statement announcing the initiative.
The benefits of these bootcamps lies in their accessibility. They are open to individuals of all ages and backgrounds, requiring no prior technical knowledge or educational qualifications to enrol. This inclusivity helps to diversify IT education, allowing a range of people the opportunity to develop essential digital skills.
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Putting AI into the curriculum
However, short-term initiatives like bootcamps are not sufficient on their own. A comprehensive, long-term approach is needed to ensure this gap is permanently closed. This involves integrating IT and AI education from an early age, creating a next generation of young IT professionals equipped to meet future challenges that AI may throw at us.
Apprenticeships and other similar schemes are great examples of ways to increase IT talent from the bottom up, to maintain a pipeline of skilled professionals ready to adapt to technological advancements.
Additionally, last year the government invested £2 million into Oak National Academy to improve and expand AI tools for teachers to help with workload such as planning and creating resources.
Taking it a step further, we must ensure that globally, AI is being put into the curriculum for children from a young age, to ensure we’re setting them up for success to go into the modern world.
Education must reflect the world we live in, so that we can continue to innovate. As such, an understanding of AI will be more crucial than ever for both teachers and children, if we are to close the AI skills gap for the long-term.
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Removing Barriers to Entry and Increasing Diversity
A critical component of addressing the skills gap is removing barriers to entry. Traditional reliance on academic qualifications can be a limiting factor, excluding talented individuals who might excel through non-traditional pathways. By focusing on skills, aptitude, and problem-solving abilities, organisations can tap into a broader talent pool. This approach has been successfully employed by agencies like GCHQ, which uses creative problem-solving challenges to identify potential recruits.
Additionally, increasing diversity within the technology sector as a whole, is essential. Diverse teams bring varied perspectives, which are crucial for tackling complex issues such as cybersecurity and developing inclusive AI technologies. Efforts to attract women and underrepresented minorities into tech roles will enrich the sector and contribute to more robust and innovative solutions.
Closing the gap is a journey – not a quick fix
By investing in these areas, the UK can build a workforce capable of driving technological advancements and sustaining its leadership in the global AI landscape. The commitment to continuous learning and adaptability will be key to thriving in a rapidly evolving digital world.
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Authors
Sascha Giese
Giese holds various technical certifications, including being a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA), Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), VMware Technical Sales Professional (VTSP), AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, and Network Performance Monitor and Server & Application Monitor SolarWinds Certified Professional® (SCP).