UK urgently needs tech skills upgrade to compete globally

The United Kingdom is falling behind its European counterparts in technology and business skills, despite governmental efforts to establish itself as a science and technology superpower by 2030.

A new report from Coursera, an online learning platform, ranks the UK 45th globally for technology and business skills. This marks a decline from previous years, where the UK was 38th in 2022 and 64th in 2023.

In comparison, Germany, France, and Spain have been positioned far higher in the rankings, coming in at 3rd, 5th, and 7th respectively. The United States finds itself lower than the UK, sitting in 69th place.

The report underscores a troubling trend for the UK as it endeavours to maintain competitiveness in essential sectors. Particularly highlighted is the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which has seen a surge in interest. The Global Skills Report reveals that the UK experienced a 961% increase in enrolments to Generative AI training courses over the past year. Nevertheless, the overall uptake remains below the global average.

Recently, the UK Government has intensified its focus on science and technology. In March, a GBP £3.5 billion funding package was unveiled to support the initiatives of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. The investment aims to underpin the nation's priorities in research and development, and foster a pro-innovation environment to stimulate economic growth and job creation.

Stuart Aird, Head of People at Encompass Corporation, commented on the report's findings: "As the global technology arena rapidly evolves, the UK must not only keep pace but lead the way if it is to realise its aim of being recognised as a science and technology superpower."

He noted that achieving this objective requires a greater emphasis on meaningful skills development and engagement across various sectors. "To do this, the nation must increase focus on enabling meaningful skills development and engagement across the board – from people with an interest, to those already delivering game-changing solutions. This is as well as continuing to fully embrace the potential of the best-in-class innovation being showcased and developed every day," Aird added.

He emphasised the importance of making technology accessible and functional for everyone. "Technology is a vital aspect of daily life in so many ways, and it is more important than ever that people, no matter their starting point, feel part of the landscape around them, and able to make technology in its countless facets work for them," Aird said.

Aird also underlined the significance of nurturing talent to achieve the Government's vision of transforming the UK into a science and technology superpower and the next Silicon Valley. "For these to become reality, we need a vibrant, high-impact sector that attracts and nurtures the best talent. By ensuring that those at the forefront are set up to excel, and consistently supported to develop their knowledge and skills, we will see the UK rise up, and the industry – and its people – in the best place to shine in the years to come," he concluded.

Through these initiatives and investments, the UK aims to regain its competitive edge on the global stage. The challenge remains to translate these efforts into tangible improvements in technology and business proficiency, as highlighted by the latest rankings from Coursera.