From drone usage to self-service portals, the public sector is proving to be more dynamic and innovative than often portrayed. However, the rapid pace of technological change is not always matched by corresponding digital skills development for its employees
A joint report by the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) and Society for Innovation, Technology and Modernisation (SOCITM) found that many local authorities recognise insufficient digital skills and training as major barriers to tech adoption. This aligns with our research at Virgin Media O2 Business, which shows that only 16% of public sector employees use digital tools to their full potential.
This digital skills gap is estimated to cost the UK economy £63 billion per year, according to the House of Commons, underscoring a drastic need for more digital skills training.
So, how can local authorities address these challenges and ensure employees receive the necessary training to keep up with technology advancements?
Tailored learning strategies for success
As digital becomes increasingly central to working practices, the skills gap can affect staff across all stages of their career.
Nearly half of UK employers (48%) believe young people are leaving full-time education without sufficient advanced digital skills, and the number of students taking IT subjects at GCSE has dropped by 40% since 2015.
Meanwhile, local authorities face the complex task of navigating a generationally diverse workforce with varying skill levels and needs. For example, one individual might benefit from advanced data analytics training, while another may need basic digital literacy courses.
Effective digital training strategies should avoid a one-size-fits-all approach and instead focus on understanding the specific needs within each council, combined with a robust framework that allows flexibility and adaptation.
Incorporating feedback and adapting to on-the-ground needs helps identify key areas where digital skills training can be maximised. Embedding a successful digital training strategy within an organisation’s culture, supported from the top-down, gives the best chance to drive positive change.
Overcoming barriers to tech adoption
As an initial step, 37% of public sector organisations believe that upgrading legacy technology would enhance employee collaboration and efficiency, according to our research.
However, simply investing in new solutions and tools is not enough to tap into these benefits. With 51% of organisations across both the public and private sector believing that fewer than half of their teams utilise their communication and collaboration tools fully, local government must also ensure adequate training for staff.
The next key barrier to better digital skills education is low awareness of upskilling opportunities, with only 1 in 8 experienced professionals aware of available digital training opportunities, according to the Behavioural Insights Team. This contributes to the 87% of public sector employees who currently express concern about the impact of the digital skills shortage on their workplace.
Listening to employees can help the public sector reap the benefits of a workforce eager to learn to protect their workplace. By combining strong internal communications with effective training programmes, local government can drive efficiency across the workforce.
To address concerns of skills shortages, local authorities can enhance digital literacy by implementing ‘Digital Champion Networks’. These programmes recruit early tech adopters across generations to promote technological learning and transformation through peer-to-peer support.
Tech providers can also help ensure employees are well-versed in using these technologies effectively. Collaborating closely with third-party vendors can be a key step for local authorities, looking to accelerate digital training programmes, while managing their workforces’ capacity.
The wider benefits of a digitally savvy workforce
Investing in digital skills does more than enhance internal operations. A workforce proficient in digital skills can increase efficiency, improve accuracy, and contribute more meaningfully to the community, including building digital inclusion among citizens.
Our Connect More Programme supports local authorities in building skills and confidence among digitally excluded citizens through drop-in sessions, tackling the digital skills gap nationwide.
A call for digital excellence
Closing the digital skills gap in local authorities presents numerous opportunities. It requires a commitment to adopting new technologies and empowering every workforce member to use these tools effectively.
Local authorities should leverage external partners and IT teams to create seamless implementation plans for new technology. External suppliers can offer ongoing technical support and guidance, demonstrating and enhancing the value of effective technology use.
By fostering a digitally savvy workforce through upskilling programmes, we can enhance not just employee productivity, retention, and community but also wider quality of life through better engagement with many areas of society. By taking the required action, local authorities can help employees and community members transition from merely coping with technological advances to thriving in a digitally empowered society.
This piece was written and provided by James Wells, Local Government Lead at Virgin Media O2 Business
