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Addressing the Digital Skills Gap
December 12, 2024

Addressing the Digital Skills Gap

Technology continues evolving rapidly, and many organizations struggle to keep pace. Maintaining adequate workforce digital skills is imperative for organizations of all types and sizes as technology develops. Yet, a growing body of data shows that numerous employees lack these skills. According to a poll by professional services company KPMG, 80% of businesses said they need more workers with digital skills, and two-thirds are having trouble hiring the digital workers they require. Such a “digital skills gap”—the discrepancy between the supply and demand of workers with sufficient digital skills—is a significant threat to organizations. Not only can a lack of digital skills hamper innovation and growth, but it could also expose organizations to cyberthreats should they lack the expertise to defend themselves.

Since employing the right people with the right skills is critical to organizational success, employers should consider ways to address the digital skills gap. They can consider the following tips:

  • Stay abreast of digital trends. The first step towards closing the gap is understanding what skills are in demand. Organizations must stay up to date with the latest digital trends and sought-after skills in areas such as social media, digital marketing and software development.
  • Determine workforce digital skills. Organizations should measure their digital skill sets against industry standards and evolving technology trends. They should note any weaknesses and consider ways to address them.
  • Upskill the workforce. According to a Global Digital Skills Index by software company Salesforce, 81% of Canadians don’t feel like they have the necessary resources to learn digital skills. Organizations should find ways to facilitate training opportunities for employees to improve overall workforce digital ability. In addition to employing external training, organizations could weigh the merits of a mentorship program where skilled employees train other team members.
  • Hire new talent. Even after upskilling, an organization may still have digital skills gaps, making it necessary to acquire new talent. Organizations should account for the skills that might be needed in the future and be as forward-thinking as possible when hiring new employees.

It’s wise to remember that technology continually develops. The digital skills that are needed now may change in a matter of months. Therefore, organizations must stay informed and be ready to adapt to remain competitive.