Living within a digital age welcomes a significant need for digital-savvy candidates. As working situations shift combined with more companies striving for online presence, digital skills' importance in the workplace is at the forefront. Technology is rapidly advancing and transforming business practices, which has inevitably influenced how people work, and in turn, the skills that employers now search for in job seekers. In fact, a recent article published last year by HR Review stated that there is a ‘digital skills deficit’ and the requirement for these skills within the workplace is growing.
In this blog, we take a look at how companies have been adapting to remote working and why they are evolving their business strategies to accommodate technological advancements. We also explore the reasons why job seekers and employees alike should focus more on how they can adapt their digital skills to not only aid their employability in the future but also increase their skills in current roles.
Increase in remote working and learning
As we all know, many companies worldwide have transformed into a working-from-home structure and some organisations are still adopting this new way of work with no intention of returning. Becoming digitally savvy and familiar with many new digital practices was essential for most, and it still is!
Many elements of work changed when the world switched to remote working and limited face-to-face interactions. From communicating online with employees through video calls and real-time messaging software to using websites and social media to stay connected with customers. Employees now need to remain familiar with digital applications, online sharing platforms and many more electronic software programs to keep up with technological advancements.
Further education also recently welcomed digital learning and the impact of the Covid pandemic has even caused some universities and colleges to transform to a completely digital study structure. Many education institutions are now investing in digital transformation to enhance online learning, allowing materials and resources to be available 24/7 combined with seminars and classes being pre-recorded.
So, if you are thinking about venturing into further education or even taking the next step in your current career, make sure you brush up on those digital skills to boost your knowledge and ensure you are ahead of the game.
Companies are adopting digital practices
Even before the global pandemic, adapting to a digital landscape had already become a top priority for many businesses across various sectors. To stay competitive, organisations have had to continually adopt modern technologies, such as new website developments, mobile innovations, and specialised in-house software.
The shift towards digital practices offers numerous benefits, including increased productivity, improved communication, and greater efficiency. Enhanced technology can also bolster security, reducing the risk of viruses and cyber-attacks. Additionally, going digital fosters innovation and collaboration through new technological tools.
By leveraging these advancements, companies can boost brand awareness via website improvements and expand their reach through social media platforms. The digital customer journey has become a crucial focus for businesses, now more than ever.
As companies prioritise digital transformation and integrate these emerging trends into their business models, they stress the importance of the current and future workforce adapting to these changes as well.
Advance your skillset
The job market has quickly become a heavily competitive environment and unfortunately, this could be the case for some time to come. Just a few years ago in 2018, Lloyds UK Customer Digital Index found that there are over 300,000 people in the UK under the age of 50 who are digitally disadvantaged, further emphasising the scale of the digital skill deficit mentioned previously.
In another recent study carried out by the UK Government, it was discovered that a couple of years ago, 46% of businesses struggled to recruit for roles requiring hard data skills. It is, therefore, crucial for job seekers to evolve their current expertise and obtain additional skills to boost their digital literacy. Even if your current career ambitions may not involve much digital expertise, there would be no harm in becoming familiar with certain practices or brushing up on fresh knowledge that could benefit your career development in the future.
The great thing about acquiring digital skills is that they are now required in many career paths across a variety of sectors, due to many more industries tapping into digital advancement to support business success. Understanding digital practices, therefore, provides you with invaluable and transferable skills that are advantageous to these many lines of work, allowing versatility in your professional skills and knowledge.
Could improve your employability
Even though working from home and on the move is second nature to some of us, there is still a significant skills gap. A 2024 roadmap set out by FutureDotNow emphasised the importance of individuals staying on top of the ever-changing digital landscape and even mentioned that organisations are finding it tough to find a workforce with the desired digital skills, with 54% of the UK workforce unable to do all of the digital tasks essential for work.
Applicants acquiring sound digital knowledge and skills could therefore gain a competitive edge when applying to jobs and could even set themselves apart from contenders within a heavily competitive climate. These skills could be fundamental to the success of gaining employment whether you are office-based or expected to work remotely. Possessing the relevant skills provides you with a deeper understanding of digital practices, allowing you to pick up certain tasks quickly whilst being more efficient in the workplace, among many more benefits.
As digital technology revolutionises not only our personal lives but our work lives too, it's time to use technology to your advantage! Digital transformation is evolving at a swift rate and many more industries are adapting to technological change, emphasising the importance of constantly developing our digital skills. Whether you are currently on the lookout for your next role or pondering a career move, now is the perfect time to invest in your digital knowledge and focus on mastering a few new skills to spruce up your CV whilst contributing to personal and professional development.