Education technology will be key to fostering the digital talents of the UK and help combat the problem of recruiting the right people into increasingly digital jobs.
So claims East London Apprenticeships and Skills Minister Anne Milton, who told delegates in a keynote speech at BETT 2018, that many companies in the UK have told the government that they are struggling to recruit the specialist digital talent they need.
"I want to focus on what we are doing at every stage in education to develop the digital skills we need to help us address these challenges," she said.
She said that EdTech can play a vital role as a tool for teachers in our schools, colleges and Universities and as a study in itself for students.
"Technology should reduce teacher workload. It should be another way of making education more accessible and inclusive. It should allow educators and students' access to share content through cloud-based services," she said.
But proper implementation is key, according to Milton. "As with any intervention, the most successful changes are led locally with the sector to make sure you have the information and skills you need to make the right decisions for you and your institution," she added.
Milton said that 90 percent of new jobs require digital skills, so children need to grow up as more than just digital consumers but practitioners and creators. She mentioned that the last budget had already allocated funds for 100 schools to get full fibre broadband. There would also be 84 million of new funding over the next five years to improve the teaching of computing and drive up participation in computer science qualifications, particularly amongst girls.
This includes increasing the expertise of up to 8,000 existing computer science teachers and a new National Centre for Computing Education.
"This additional investment builds on the curriculum reforms we have already made. This is a step-change from the previous approach, and includes challenging new content such as coding and algorithms, providing students with the basic building blocks they need to move on to successful further study or work," said Milton.
The minister added that the government was currently implementing major systemic reforms in vocational education with the introduction of digital degree apprenticeships which were designed by employers and universities working in partnership to "create relevant, high-quality curricula to provide the much-needed skills that industry needs".
But digital exclusion was still proving a "huge challenge". Milton confirmed that the government was to introduce full funding for basic digital training for adults from 2020.
"Adults will have the opportunity to undertake improved digital courses based on new national standards. This will set out the skills and capabilities people need to get on in life and work. We will consult on these new standards in the autumn."
She said the government wants everyone to get the digital skills they need.
"The country needs them to have those skills. Our economy depends on it. We can't do this alone so your support, your input is vital," she told delegates.
