The demand for digital
literacy - in higher education
and the workplace.

Why enabling digital literacy is essential for modern universities.

Download the report

The UK is in the midst of a 4th industrial revolution ⁠– one that demands new thinking from universities.

A 2019 report by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) reported that two thirds of UK businesses have unfilled digital skills vacancies. In the post-pandemic, digital-first world this gap is only widening – 95% of businesses expect their digital skills needs to grow in the next few years.1

“There are far too many people that think digital capabilities are something that you acquire after initial study and training, rather than something that fundamentally changes the nature of those professional skills.”

– Nicola Pearson, Head of Skills and Knowledge Exchange at the Centre for Digital Built Britain (CDBB).

1 ‘Digital Literacy in the UK: Employer Perspectives and the Role of Higher Education’ - a report by THE Consultancy on behalf of Adobe, April 2021.

A third of all skills-shortage vacancies for Managerial, Professional and Associate Professional roles across the UK are caused at least in part by a lack of digital skills. Most notably:

42

%

in the West Midlands.

40

%

in South-West England.

35

%

in London.

Let’s bridge the digital divide.

Digital literacy is multi-faceted. Whilst today’s students have grown up in a digital society it doesn’t mean they are inherently digitally literate.

Higher education must be at the centre of a national movement to develop the skills, adaptability and mindset that goes with being digitally literate.

“New technologies will constantly emerge and that is why the focus needs to be on digital literacy, which is as much about attitudes as it is about skills.”

- Henrietta Mbeah-Bankas, Health Education England.

Universities must help nurture the next generation of highly digitally skilled graduates entering the workforce.

How Adobe Creative Cloud can help prepare students for the challenges of an increasingly digital world

Solve problems:

Equip students with the critical thinking, analytical skills and data literacy to tackle problems using digital tools.

Produce innovative projects:

Inspire creativity across all disciplines by integrating industry-standard digital tools into engaging digital assignments.

Enhance communication:

Students can learn how to communicate in visually compelling ways and gain digital collaboration skills essential for the workplace.

To get in touch and download your copy of the ‘Digital Literacy in the UK: Employer Perspectives and the Role of HigherEducation’ report, please fill in the form below.