Digital agencies in the UK are increasingly concerned that Brexit will lead to a widening digital skills gap, according to a new study.
The study of 272 digital agencies, from BIMA, the digital agency membership association and digital agency SapientNitro, confirmed a widening digital skills gap and the industry’s diversity problem which is predicted to increase further due to Brexit.
The digital industry plays a vital role in the UK economy, contributing £118.3 billion to the country’s Gross Value Added and employing 1.4 million people (Source: Technation 2016). A substantial part of the digital industry is the digital agency landscape in the UK – the organisations at the forefront of helping brands to digitally transform and innovate.
BIMA and SapientNitro commissioned a survey of 272 digital agencies across the UK. In terms of diversity challenges facing the industry and the impact of Brexit, the survey found:
• 47% stated that it will be harder to attract non-British talent to work in their company
• 90% of digital agencies have at least one non-British European employee
• 18% stated their company is 100% white
• Only 6% of UK digital agencies are more than 50% female
BIMA and SapientNitro’s research coincides with BIMA’s Digital Day, taking place on Tuesday 15 November 2016 and supported by iDEA, the Duke of York Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award. Professionals from the UK’s leading digital agencies and brands including SapientNitro, Amaze, Yard Digital, Redweb and Facebook, are hosting exciting digital challenges in secondary schools from all backgrounds across the UK, including underprivileged behavioural and special needs schools.
BIMA’s Digital Day is the only nationwide initiative of its kind, which links digital industry professionals with schools to inspire students and encourage them to consider a digital career. The digital skills gap in the UK calls for fostering digital talent from all backgrounds in order to fill future vacancies.
When asking the 272 UK digital agencies, the survey revealed that there is a real need to inspire future talent with openings already being hard to fill:
● Each digital agency has 3.5 unfilled vacancies
● It takes nearly 8 weeks to find the right person to fill each vacancy
● In the last 12 months, 46% of businesses have taken on graduates, 42% have taken on paid interns, 42% have given work experience to school students and 38% have provided mentoring.
Aimed at 13-18 year olds from all backgrounds, Digital Day kicks off in schools with a morning of presentations from local digital experts, showing students an exciting professional world they didn’t know existed and informing them of the rewarding careers for all skillsets. This is followed by a competition in the afternoon, where students compete in one of three sponsored challenges (for TATA Communications, Cancer Research and Standard Life).
Bridget Beale, Managing Director at BIMA said: “We’re delighted that this year’s Digital Day is challenging more young people than ever to consider the exciting career options in our industry, giving them access to digital professionals, inspirational stories and hands-on experience in answering a brief.
Our research underlines the importance of programmes like Digital Day. Agencies are already crying out for diverse talent; and they are clearly worried that Brexit will further narrow the talent pool. Our message to young people in schools all across the UK is simple: we have jobs for you – and they’re some of the most fulfilling and exciting jobs in the world.”
Nigel Vaz, CEO EMEA for SapientNitro and Razorfish, said: “The skills gap is one that is challenging the digital industry, with thousands of desirable positions going unfilled across the country. As companies address the challenge of reimagining their business for a digital age, this skills gap is both damaging to the growth of British industry, and means that many talented people are missing out on rewarding jobs due to a lack of modern skills. As an industry, with Digital Day we are looking to do our bit to combat the skills gap and encourage the next generation to consider the digital industry for a rewarding, varied and viable career.”
Methodology:
Research was commissioned by BIMA and SapientNitro, carried out by Censuswide. 272 digital agency professionals were surveyed between 25 October 2016 and 7 November 2016.
Source: www.bimadday.org.uk