A newly launched consortium aims to tackle the digital skills gap in the West Midlands.
- The West Midlands Digital Skills Consortium includes public and private sector partnerships.
- Founding members such as TechWM and IBM lead the initiative.
- The consortium aims to develop a skilled tech workforce to support regional businesses.
- Educational collaborations will focus on high-demand digital skills.
The West Midlands Digital Skills Consortium has been unveiled with the objective of addressing the digital skills shortage in the region’s technology sector. This initiative brings together a coalition of public and private entities, aiming to enhance knowledge and provide support to employers.
Key organisations involved in this consortium include TechWM, the West Midlands Combined Authority, and technology giant IBM, guided by digital skills director Victoria Pargetter-Garner. The group’s mission is to bridge the existing skills gap, thereby enabling local businesses and SMEs to thrive within a swiftly transforming economy.
Central to the consortium’s strategy is the collaboration with educational bodies and training providers to create programmes focusing on in-demand digital skills like coding, data analytics, cybersecurity, and AI. This educational push is crucial in building a robust pipeline of digital talent.
In addition to training opportunities, the consortium is partnering with IBM to offer free digital programmes and guidance to SMEs on attracting, retaining, and developing technology talent. These efforts align with the wider tech strategy for the West Midlands, as detailed by Lord Kulveer Ranger, chairman of digital skills on the regional advisory board.
Regular meetings of key consortium members will facilitate discussion of progress and recommendations, which will be shared with the combined authority and academic partners. Such collaboration is expected to foster sustained growth and innovation, positioning the West Midlands at the forefront of technological advancement.
Coinciding with Birmingham Tech Week, the consortium’s launch underscores the importance of the digital sector in generating job opportunities, particularly for young people. Mayor Richard Parker emphasised the critical role of this sector in reducing youth unemployment and encouraged businesses to offer work placements, training, and apprenticeships.
Victoria Pargetter-Garner highlighted the significance of this initiative in positioning the West Midlands as a leader in technological advancement and future workforce readiness, by uniting pivotal figures from the business, education, and government sectors.
The West Midlands Digital Skills Consortium is poised to advance the region’s digital capabilities, fostering a skilled workforce for the future.
