Skills opportunity

Why digital age is here to stay

IRRESPECTIVE OF Brexit’s impact on the country at large, Yorkshire’s economy will continue to evolve as traditional manufacturing industries are replaced by hi-tech jobs and the emergence of digital first businesses. This is already happening with firms like gambling firm Sky Bet and FDM Group, the UK’s leading IT graduate employer, choosing to expand their operations on this side of the Pennines, and specifically Leeds, due to the potential that exists here. This also counters the misconception that talented individuals need to move to London in order to prosper.

However it’s also important that Justine Greening, the Education Secretary, takes heed of the comments of FDM’s chief operating officer Sheila Flavell who is concerned that schools and colleges are making basic errors – a misguided belief that computers are a male-dominated career; classroom lessons do not focus sufficiently on the practical skills required by industry and the erroneous belief that students need a degree if they’re to work in IT.

Valid criticisms which need to shape Ms Greening’s forthcoming policy speech, they need to be taken on board by education leaders across the region. If schools can ensure that even more pupils gain the necessary expertise, there are employers who will provide the job opportunities – the one certainty, moving forward, is that the digital economy will continue to expand.