AI Graduate Boost Will Help the IT Skills Gap
By Fay Capstick
The huge amount of coverage given to AI in recent months has led to a boost for the future of the UK's computing, tech, and digital industry; an industry that represents 5.5% of our economy. This week we will be investigating what has happened and what this means for the huge IT skills gap that the UK is experiencing.
What has happened?
UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, are reporting increased applicant figures for computing courses starting next academic year (Autumn 2023). They are putting this shift in trend down to the increased interest generated by the news coverage of ChatGPT and its potential to transform our society and lives, and the (hopeful) resulting jobs boom.
Any increase is positive, as it has been suggested that only 10% of UK workers feel that they have any AI skills (https://www.salesforce.com/uk/news/stories/ai-digital-skills-uk/). More worryingly, 75% of current workers feel they lack the skills to operate in a digital world. This situation needs to change, and rapidly, if the UK economy is to function on a global level.
How much is the increase?
The rise in applicants is up 10% overall on 2022 figures. This gives a total of 95,000 applications to study computing-related subjects. Specifically, software engineering as a field is up 16%, 2% in computer games and animation (a big area of UK expertise), and 4% for AI.
At Parker Shaw, we are confident to predict that the figure for AI will now rise year on year as applicants and careers advisors realise the potential for good employment opportunities.
So how popular is computing?
The simple answer is not as popular as it could and should be. Double the 95,000 have applied to study in the area of business and management. This could be due to this area of study having less rigorous and specific academic criteria for entry.
To study courses in the computing area would require a pre-requisite study at A-Level or equivalent in mathematics and computing, which means applicants would have been making these choices two years ago. Therefore the figures should go even higher in 2025.
Male-dominated?
In recent history at least, computing has been a male-dominated area of study and employment and this isn’t particularly changing yet, but it is starting to shift gradually; rising 1% year on year since 2021.
Women now represent 18% of applicants and we are starting to see an increase in women applying for roles through Parker Shaw. Specifically in AI jobs, the Alan Turing Institute reports there are 22% women, which is extremely positive (https://www.turing.ac.uk/collaborate-turing/current-partnerships-and-collaborations/accenture/solving-uks-ai-skills-gap)
Good news!
Applications for computing courses have risen since 2019. This points towards a positive future for the UK being able to fill relevant job vacancies without requiring overseas applicants.
However, much more must be done to close the skills gap and fix the gender imbalance. For example, women could be supported to return to work in the IT field after maternity leave. Also, companies could make more IT apprenticeships available, thus offering a less traditional route into the sector. The Government are also keen on upskilling within the current workforce as a response to the inadequate number of graduates.
What do we think?
We think that there is a boom coming in the number of students studying or doing apprenticeships in areas that will help to fill the UK’s IT skills gap. This will hopefully leave the UK well placed to fill the extra skilled jobs that will be available in this area.
(If you want to read about the data skills gap in the UK in more detail, you can access a Government policy document here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/quantifying-the-uk-data-skills-gap/quantifying-the-uk-data-skills-gap-full-report#ministerial-foreword)
Final thoughts
At Parker Shaw we have been at the forefront of the sector we serve, IT & Digital Recruitment and Consulting, for over 30 years. We can advise you on all your hiring needs.
If you are looking for your next job in the IT sector please check our Jobs Board for our current live vacancies at https://parkershaw.co.uk/jobs-board