How the UK’s education system can foster tech talent

At CWJobs, we’ve long been advocates for promoting tech careers in schools. In order to close the UK tech sector’s current skills gap, the UK education system needs to do more to promote the tech industry as a career. With the UK’s tech sector growing at a rate 2.6 times faster than the overall economy, the industry has a lot to offer the next generation of workers.

Despite the career opportunities available, research suggests that education institutions aren’t doing enough to encourage the uptake of tech skills. According to a recent survey conducted by EdTech trade show Bett, 42% of educators say that their institution is reluctant to invest in education technology. And 47% say that their IT infrastructure inhibits the adoption of more education technology.

So, how can the UK’s education system foster future tech talent?

Addressing the skills gap in schools

To ensure a steady stream of tech talent, schools need to offer courses that cover the most in-demand skills in the job market. In 2019, some of the most sought-after skills in the tech industry include cloud computing, cyber security and Artificial Intelligence.

Despite demand, according to the Royal Society’s Computing Education in Schools report, 54% of schools in England don’t offer a computer science GCSE. Of those students that have the opportunity to take the subject, only 11% of the 588,000 students taking Key Stage 4 subjects take computer science.

IT and computing need to have the same importance as traditional subjects in schools. CWJobs’ Director Dominic Harvey commented in a Tech Radar article: ‘students need to spend much more time in school actively practicing the higher-level technology skills needed for job readiness because roles in the future will require the next generation to be increasingly tech savvy.’

Ongoing training for teaching staff

For tech skills to be taught effectively in schools, teachers themselves need to feel confident in delivering the subject material. According to a recent survey conducted by IT consultancy BJSS, 67% of teachers in the UK feel under-equipped to teach coding. The survey also revealed that 83% believe that the Department of Education (DOE) needs to provide better training and 39% of teachers say they don’t have access to adequate IT and software to teach coding.

These statistics show that there’s a clear need for additional investment into the teaching of technology in schools. Inadequate access to essential IT infrastructure hinders teachers’ abilities to equip students with the necessary skills to forge a career in technology.

Technology association, TechUK, highlighted the need for Government funding in its 2017 Manifesto stating that ‘the new Government should commit £50 million in additional Continued Professional Development funding for computing teachers.’

Encouraging more women to pursue careers in tech

In recent years, the tech industry has made positive inroads towards closing the gender gap. Flexible working initiatives, transparency in salaries and less gender bias in recruitment practices are all contributing towards a more diverse tech workforce. However, there’s still a way to go in encouraging women into the tech sector.

According to PWC’s Women in Tech report, only 3% of women say that a career in technology is their first choice. Only 16% of women have had a career in tech suggested to them compared to 33% of men and only 5% of leadership positions in the technology sector are held by women.

At CWJobs, we’ve long been advocates for promoting tech careers in schools. In order to close the UK tech sector’s current skills gap, the UK education system needs to do more to promote the tech industry as a career. With the UK’s tech sector growing at a rate 2.6 times faster than the overall economy, the industry has a lot to offer the next generation of workers.

Despite the career opportunities available, research suggests that education institutions aren’t doing enough to encourage the uptake of tech skills. According to a recent survey conducted by EdTech trade show Bett, 42% of educators say that their institution is reluctant to invest in education technology. And 47% say that their IT infrastructure inhibits the adoption of more education technology.

So, how can the UK’s education system foster future tech talent?

Fostering relationships with tech companies

In a speech given in August last year, Education Secretary Damian Hinds called for UK schools and the tech industry to foster an ‘education revolution.’ He remarked on the benefits that technology can bring to the classroom and noted that only a minority of schools and colleges were taking advantage of tech opportunities.

One school that is embracing the benefits of partnering with technology companies is Shireland Collegiate Academy in Smethwick. Shireland is a partner school for the Apps for Good programme, which offers free online tech courses for the classroom. The school has also partnered with Codeacademy to teach pupils how to code and is supported by Microsoft.

Many large tech companies offer school partnership opportunities. Apple’s Apple Teachers, supports schools using their products, Microsoft’s Education Transformation Framework advises teachers on how to teach tech-based skills, and Google’s Google Classroom helps teachers assign homework and manage coursework.

In order to future-proof the UK’s tech industry, there needs to be more awareness of the career opportunities available to young people. IT and computing need to become as important in school as traditional subjects like English and Maths and teaching staff need to feel confident in being able to deliver tech-focused lessons. Schools need to do more to raise awareness of tech careers for women and should aim to seek out beneficial partnerships with tech companies.