Supply And Demand: The Continued Need For Digital Specialist Skills
Throughout the UK there continues to be an increasing demand for high-level specialist skills in cyber-security, data security, and data science. The UK has particular strengths in key emerging technologies, as outlined by the House of Lords Select committee on digital skills:
- Internet Of Things
- Wearable Technologies
- Big Data and Data Analytics
- 5G and Associated Wireless Technologies
- Robotics
- Autonomous Vehicles
- Advanced Manufacturing and Building Automation.
The Tinder Foundation previously reported that almost 90% of new jobs require digital skills, with 72% of employers stating they are unwilling to interview candidates who do not have basic IT skills.
Recently we invited a group of 3rd year ethical hacking students from Abertay University to take part in a network security assessment as part of their academic course project. Knowing there is a digital skills gap in the industry we wanted to offer the students the opportunity to put into practise what they were learning.
As part of the governments 2016-2017 digital skills report, TechUK stated that “93% of tech companies surveyed believe that the digital skills gap affects their commercial operations and talent acquisition”.
It’s essential for both Outplay and the wider industry to acquire and retain those with high-quality digital skills. This applies to future talent and it was a great opportunity to see examples of what the digital skills students are learning in academia.
Speaking with the students following their visit, we talked about their time at Outplay and how they planned to apply what they had learned.
“It’s definitely been great getting to see how networks are really set up in the industry. The experience has been invaluable and I believe I’ll be able to apply what I’ve learned to my academic course and an industry role”.
“Learning about data security and the processes involved has given me a much wider appreciation of how things work in practise, versus in theory or simulation”.
“It’s been a challenging, exciting opportunity which has given me a better understanding of the way networks and network security are configured in a business environment”.
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