Digital skills analysis for South Wales
The Regional Skills Partnerships (RSPs) in South East and South West Wales collaborated in June 2024 and commissioned a digital skills study, aimed at gathering information on basic and advanced digital skills needs to identify skills gaps and shortages.
Together, the RSPs called on employers to share views on apprenticeship and training provision, equality and diversity challenges, and progression pathways into digital roles. A survey was developed to better understand employer needs, identify regional priorities, and inform key Welsh Government policy areas.
The survey received 120 respondents from South East and South West Wales – including 62 from south east Wales and 58 from south west Wales. This was from a cross section of employer types, including digital, financial, local government, manufacturing, health and social care, education, training providers, and retail.
Focusing on basic digital skills requirements, the report referred to the significance of PowerBi for data handling, automation of applications, basic office and digital productivity – through tools such as Microsoft 365, along with all-important skills when using CRM and data-driven systems.
Additional advanced digital skills were also identified through the report, which suggested that AI and Net Zero technologies are driving business transformation. Automation, robotics, microcontroller programming, remote monitoring, IOT and cyber security were also given prominence.
The research also focused on the range of advanced digital tools and technologies being used by employers for full stack development and coding, cloud platforms and infrastructure, data analytics, reporting and AI.
Finally, the report suggested that employers generally recruit from degree programmes and vocational college courses. Awareness of the opportunities presented through apprenticeships seems more limited among employers and sources of information need to become clearer. For example, how apprenticeship frameworks work and the providers who can support upskilling requirements.
Digital Skills Analysis Report
Developed for the Cardiff Capital Region Skills Partnership and the Regional Learning and Skills Partnership South West Wales.
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