“Digital marketing is an ever-growing field, but it seems like there may not actually be enough people available with the relevant skills to support this.” Or at least according to Mark Wright, winner of 2014’s “The Apprentice”.
With a focus on the marketing aspect, there also seems to be a shortage of people with varying tech skills. Additionally, things such as coding, development, and engineering are also experiencing a lack of recruits, so what happens now?
Regarding Facebook and Google advertising, there’s a shortfall in people who are familiar with these aspects of digital marketing. Yet surprisingly, both offer free training programmes, Google Digital Garage and Facebook Blueprint.
The article published by the BBC has a significant focus on marketing. However, the importance of the other aspects of tech is exponential too. After all, how can you market a company with no website or management systems to track data?
In the article, it warns that the UK may get “left behind” if it doesn’t become a global competitor with this new breed of skills. This can be easily understood when you glance at the number of businesses switching to a digital approach in marketing and general work.
Workplace tech growth
The growth for many companies has skyrocketed! However, to succeed through social media, you need to be implementing specific strategies to reach as many people as possible and drive conversions.
These are some examples of what companies “should” be doing to help them further with their growth-
- Investing in their people through training & support
- Adopting a flexible approach- to hiring, learning, and work patterns
- Invest in their tech resources, like CMS systems, programmes and the gadgets themselves
- Invest in marketing. You need to if you want to reach people!
- Keep track of the statistics and figures. It’s essential so you can make measurements and delve into these when needed.
- Actively be listening to employees, customers and colleagues for feedback.
So what do we do? CAN we do anything?
You bet we can! While there is a significant skills gap, many solutions are available for individuals wanting to improve their skills.
For example, for marketing, there’s a tonne of courses from the likes of Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, and countless other platforms/qualifications, as well as more “official” qualifications. Key areas to look into might be paid ads, SEO work, content writing, or even video/photo editing.
Coding also offers many free programmes, apps and services on learning to code, free of charge. Apps like Mimo or Codecademy, Free Code Camp and Codewars are some of the most popular options.
If you’re looking for other areas of tech, Alison offers a wide range of free courses. The only cost is if you want an official certificate to say you’ve passed or chosen premium membership. EdX is very similar to this but includes forums, videos and online textbooks too.
The government is looking to help efforts too…
The government has promised a skills “revolution” to try and bridge this skills gap. However, as of yet, they have not provided details on what this will entail. Or even if it is across several platforms or who the training providers are /if it will gain an official qualification.
Might it be a matter of accessing the training before this comes into play to make the most out of the current opportunities and maximise your success?
It’s possible but dependent on the individual in that aspect. As mentioned previously, there are many options to access qualifications from these platforms at no cost. They may take time, but they certainly bring benefits.
Perhaps impacting the clarity around having “Digital Skills” is the lack thereof. It acts as a very loose umbrella term. It can range from simply sending an email, or attending a Zoom call, to running display ads or coding for websites. So the complexity varies massively- which plays into the confusion on creating the clear set definition.
There is also a big divide in companies that encourage self-learning of the skills instead of traditional, official qualifications. Which require considerably more money and also dedication.
Key takeaways
Not just in marketing, but with the rise of learn-to-code programmes and website building/engineering, it’s always beneficial to undertake these.
However, any good employer will also recognise that it takes a lot to learn through your determination. And it should also be remembered that the stereotypical approach isn’t for everybody either!
A critical point that any potential employer should be taking is that this is something you’re passionate enough to undertake in your own time. And that is something that could be brought to the company. So how could it be anything other than positive?
It brings about the question: What do you think are the most valuable “Digital Skills”? What should people focus on for the most reward and give as many opportunities for growth as possible? Is there a simple solution, or does there need to be an all-encompassing approach instead?
We know our thoughts on the matter but would love to hear what you think of this.
* With reference to https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-57101527
