The Secret to Finding a Job in the UK: Upskilling
The UK is facing one of its toughest periods of unemployment seen in recent history, with London experiencing this the worst. The rising cost of living and the growing gap in the skills needed in the workforce appearing; the need for further study is crucial. And finally, the city of London seems to be listening. The Skills for Londoners strategy, the first of its kind delivered by a London Mayor, is the apparent answer to the problem, setting out a series of changes that are solely created to address the need to skill the workforce.
The UK has started to be affected by the lack of developed skills in its workforce…
out of 33 OECD countries for
intermediate skills in the population
For those who are employed in London, wages can barely stretch far enough to cover the cost of living and returning to study seems virtually impossible. There seems to be a cycle emerging, jobs require skills that the workforce just don’t have, but Londoners just can’t seem to be able to find the time to develop these skills without leaving their jobs.
But the difficulty with this is to try and get more of the workforce into the industries that are in high demand, which at the moment, just doesn’t seem to happen.
A city for all Londoners – making sure Londoners, employers and businesses get the skills they need to succeed in a fair, inclusive society and thriving economy
– The Skills for Londoners Strategy
Skills for London Strategy
This first of its kind strategy is aimed solely at improving the skills of adults and helping them find the opportunities to further their education that the city of London provides. With a strong focus on encouraging careers in indemand industries, this can help push the workforce into pursuing careers that have high levels of opportunity, growing job openings and most importantly, high salaries.
Priorities of the Skills for Londoners Program
Empower all Londoners to access the education and skills to participate in society and progress in education and work
Meet the needs of London’s economy and employers, now and in the future
Deliver a strategic city-wide technical skills and adult education offer
What’s Stopping UK’s Workforce From Studying?
The OECD has warned the UK to start improving on the mix of skills in its workforce, or face the consequences economically. The proportion of 25-64 year olds who aren’t skilled in areas that are in need is at an all time high. One in three in London have left school at 16 without achieving a standard pass in the GCSE, according to the Skills for London report. This shows that more than ever, Londoners in particular need to have the ability to upskill through adult education, either online or through a learning institute to support their career growth.
Skills characteristics struggle to meet the requirements of the technologically advanced sectors
– Office for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Of economic activity in the UK is from knowledge-intensive services
and high-tech manufacturing jobs
Another scary statistic? It’s predicted that in the next 20 years, 90% of all jobs will be heavily dependant on digital skills. However, 58% of London startups have found great difficulty in recruiting IT skilled employees. This is one of the greatest findings of the Skills for London report, and addressing the lack of IT skills in the workforce is one of the main priorities.
The UK Industries That Need you the Most
So, what’s the answer to London’s skill shortage and unemployment?
When it comes to finding a solution to both the skills shortage crisis faced both in London and across the UK, as well as growing unemployment; the answer is simple. Adult education, which balances study with the industries the most in demand, is the best way to meet the needs of both workers and the government. These simple courses can help workers develop skills and training in their own time, through online or distance learning which is perfect for existing work commitments.
In the UK, there are certain skill areas and industries that are in need of workers. And the best part? You don’t need a pHD in these areas to pursue a rewarding career. If you want to escape the employment trap, and start growing as a person, both in your skills and professionally; consider the following industries.
Short courses are one of the best ways to get your job search on the roll, with qualifications especially in It in hot demand among recruiters. If you are struggling with time, then there’s no need to worry; with plenty of online courses available, you can upskill in no time and not have to worry about balancing your time between work and study. These can be a great alternative than investing in a longer course, giving you a taste of what the job has to offer without committing too much by ways of money and time.
No matter your situation, there’s always a pathway to get you towards where you want to go. From upskilling in areas that are in demand, through to taking full advantage of the Skills For London Strategy; there’s no reason why you can’t end up in the career of your dreams!
