Read: Digital skills vital to ensure future economy is open to everyone
Closing the divide in technology skills, access, opportunities and infrastructure was the topic for our latest virtual panel discussion.
The panel was hosted by Staffordshire University and Rt Hon Justine Greening, chaired by broadcaster Iain Dale, and included representatives from Port Vale FC, YMCA, Staffordshire Universities Academies Trust, Charnwood Primary Academy and Inmarsat.
Panellists discussed what the digital divide meant to them and their organisations and the impact that Covid-19 has had. There is no doubt that Covid has highlighted the digital divide in school children and those within education that don’t have access to devices, software, content or skills.
Digital skills are increasingly important for those entering employment and children without them will fall behind their peers from an early age. Our post-pandemic economy will inevitably be focused more online, so greater effort must be made to ensure that our pursuit of a digital future does not widen current social mobility gaps.
While the discussion was primarily focused on education there was also an understanding that upskilling of the current workforce would be important moving forward. Those who have lost jobs during the pandemic need the digital skills to be able to transfer into an ever changing economy. Elderly people without access or skills are also becoming further removed from the digital age, leading to isolation and loneliness.
Addressing the digital divide was identified as a great opportunity to remove some of the traditional barriers to upward social mobility that are faced. Covid-19 must act as a catalyst for change - it as a chance for digital access and skills to be shared widely and improve equality of opportunity.
Closing the digital divide is one of 14 ‘Levelling Up Goals’ launched as part of work to drive equality of opportunity at key life stages. The 14 Levelling Up Goals provide a powerful framework for government, education, businesses, communities and others to address the long running lack of social mobility that exists in Britain.
The panel consisted of:
Rt Hon Justine Greening
Professor Liz Barnes CBE DL - Vice Chancellor of Staffordshire University
Carol Shanahan OBE - Chairman of Port Vale FC
Danny Flynn - CEO of YMCA
Keith Hollins - CEO of Staffordshire University Academies Trust
Katie Stanley - Principal of Charnwood Primary Academy
Natasha Dillon - Chief People and Commercial Officer at Inmarsat
You can watch the full discussion here