Skills West Midlands and Warwickshire (SkillsWMW) and the West Midlands Digital Skills Consortium Launch Survey to Tackle Digital Skills Gap

SkillsWMW and the West Midlands Digital Skills Consortium (WMDSC) have joined forces to launch a crucial survey aimed at addressing the digital skills shortage in the West Midlands. The results will shape targeted initiatives to boost growth and innovation in the region.

The survey seeks input from businesses of all sizes and sectors to pinpoint specific digital skills challenges. This information will enable the WMDSC – in partnership with organisations like the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), IBM UK Ltd., Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, AND Digital, In4.0 Group, SF Technology, and Skills For West Midlands & Warwickshire – to design effective programs and ensure the region’s competitiveness in the digital economy.

“Access to digital talent is a global challenge, but it is particularly acute for businesses in the West Midlands,” says Vickie Pargetter-Garner, Director of Digital Skills & Commercial Impact at TechWM. “We have world-leading Universities, excellent FE Colleges, and a plethora of independent education providers, all working to build a digital skills base in the region. Yet businesses are often struggling to find the right talent, or know how to upskill their existing workforce, to meet the demands of modern business and benefit from adoption of rapid technological advancements. 

The world of business is volatile, and the past 12 months have been particularly challenging for many of the companies I’ve spoken to, with political and economic uncertainty, alongside increasing cost pressures, changing business outlook. We know that unlocking the right digital talent can create significant business efficiencies and cost savings, so what are the barriers? This survey is essential to understanding these challenges and ensuring effective use of public funding around the digital skills agenda, both from a talent pipeline and digital-upskilling perspective.”

Businesses are encouraged to participate and help shape the region’s digital future. As a thank you, the WMDSC is offering incentives, including a £250 voucher for a local restaurant, exclusive event invites, free consultancy, and early access to survey findings.

The survey is open to all West Midlands businesses and takes only 5 minutes to complete. Responses are confidential and anonymous.

Participate today: https://form.typeform.com/to/vXrne1yZ 

Find out more about the West Midlands Digital Skills Consortium at: https://www.techwm.com/wmdsc