www.learningandwork.org.uk @LearnWorkUK
Basic digital skills and the digital entitlement LEAFEA Spring 2017 Meeting Susan Easton, Head of Digital Learning and Skills
Policy context • 5.3 million people in the UK have never used the Internet 1 . • More than 10 million of the adult population in England lack basic digital skills 2 . • 90% of all jobs will need digital skills, so lack of digital skills can stop people from thriving in a digitised workplace and job market. • Digitally excluded do not benefit from services such as banking, shopping and government tools which are increasingly moving online. 3
Policy context • The government plans to make training in basic digital skills free for adults in England who lack relevant qualifications. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-plans- to-make-the-uk-one-of-the-most-digitally-skilled-nations • “a specified qualification in making use of information technology” is added alongside literacy, numeracy as a level 2 vocational qualification. • Wording has also been added to the ASCL Act which allows the Secretary of State to determine which qualifications are included. • The proposal has now been passed into law • Planned consultation on the details of this new offer has been delayed due to snap election but is expected soon 4
Policy context “In today’s digital economy, being “ We are committed to making sure able to use modern technology and that everyone, regardless of age or background has the digital skills navigate the Internet should be considered as important as English they need to enjoy the benefits of modern technology. Whether it’s and Maths. applying for a job, accessing vital But too many people struggle to get services or as consumers, our by, with more than ten million adults world is increasingly moving online - and we don’t want anyone left in England lacking the basic digital skills they need. behind. Our reforms will mean that people We will make sure all adults who who lack basic digital skills will get need it can receive free training in the training they need to get on the digital skills to equip them for the ladder of opportunity for the jobs of modern world.” the future.” Secretary of State for Culture, Skills Minister Robert Halfon Media and Sport Karen Bradley 5
L&W policy Support for people of all ages and backgrounds to use technology to fully participate in life, work and learning , including those who are most disadvantaged / socially excluded / furthest from the labour market ‹#›
Basic digital skills Communicate Problem solve Create Transact Manage information 7
Basic digital skills framework Digital skills Digital tasks . ● Use a search engine to look for information online Managing ● Download/save a photo you found online Information ● Find a website you have visited before ● Send a personal message to another person via Communicating email/online messaging ● Carefully make comments and share information online ● Buy items or services from a website Transacting ● Buy and install apps on a device • Problem Solving Solve a problem you have with a device or digital service using online help • Verify sources of information you found online ● Complete online application forms which include Creating personal details ● Create something new from existing online images, ‹#›
Basic online skills / basic digital skills ‹#›
Priority groups • 35% of people in lower socio-economic groups lack basic digital skills, compared with 13% of those in higher socio-economic groups. • 43% of over 65s have basic digital skills, compared to 93% of 15 to 24 year olds. • Unemployed / low skilled jobs • Low income • Low level / no qualifications • Elderly • Older workers • Adults with disabilities • Socially excluded • ESOL • Those at risk of poor health. How will the digital skills entitlement meet the needs of these groups? ‹#›
L&W initial response Digital is just as important as literacy and numeracy for life, work and learning in the 21st century BUT Concerns that government’s commitment without additional finding could negatively impact on other areas of adult learning Creative approaches could alleviate negative impact, while truly meeting the needs of those most in need of digital skills 11
Alternative approaches Learning and Work Institute believe everyone should have the core set of skills they need for living and working in the 21st Century - including English, maths, digital, civic, health and financial capabilities
Alternative approaches • Online learning • Learn My Way (Tinder/ Good things Foundation) • Google Digital Garage offers a range of Digital Skills tutorials 13
Alternative approaches Aylesbury Vale District Council use Amazon Echo to reduce digital exclusion Customers can ask “Alexa, when is my bin day?” or “Alexa, how much council tax do I owe?” Artificial Intelligence enables Alexa to respond to the customer’s request through AVDC’s My Account service. ‹#›
Government Digital Strategy Government Digital Strategy – “to create a world -leading digital economy that works for everyone.” Digital skills / inclusion one of seven pillars of the Strategy: o Digital capability for all o Digital skills for the digital economy o Working together 15
Digital capability for all Government will: • Undertake a feasibility study on viability of using outcome commissioning frameworks such as Social Impact Bonds or payment by results, to tackle digital exclusion • Develop the role of libraries as ‘providers of digital access with other national partners • Use the Council for Digital Inclusion to increase collaboration • Invest £1.1m through NHS on projects to support digital inclusion. 16
Digital Skills for digital economy. Government will: • Create a Digital Skills Partnership to examine options for improving the coherence of digital skills provision e.g. increasing the types of training on offer • Invest in CPD for teachers • Pilot inclusion of digital skills and careers in NCS programmes • Embed digital skills in technical education for young people • Implement new entitlement to free digital skills training, as part of the publicly-funded adult education offer, ensuring a commitment to lifelong learning of digital skills • Fund Ada, the National College for Digital Skills, to develop an online learning platform to help develop coding skills • Develop a common digital skills language to help industry articulate the digital skills they are seeking • Develop the Tech Talent Charter to ensure a more diverse tech workforce • Develop a Cyber Security Skills Strategy. 17
Increasing the types of training on offer Family Robotics helped adults and young people to develop advanced programming and digital making skills.
Working together • Recognition of importance of cross-sector partnerships • Council of Digital Inclusion • Digital skills partnership 19
What does community / family learning offer? 20
Partnerships 20 18 18 16 14 12 10 Frequency 8 7 7 6 4 4 2 2 0 Technology Orgs Job Centres Schools Employers Other
Partnerships Public libraries 22
Evidencing impact • The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) recently released their new digital inclusion evaluation toolkit. • Designed for everyone involved in trying to increase digital participation • The toolkit can be used for small or large organisations • Can be used for independent evaluation 23
Q1 - Discuss We recognise that digital is just as important as literacy and numeracy for life and work in the 21st century, however we are concerned that the training meets the requirements of people who need it most. The digital entitlement will be delivered by colleges and other providers Which providers could help deliver the digital entitlement? What is their unique contribution? 24
Q2 - Discuss The government’s new policy is to be funded from within the existing Adult Education Budget – there is no new money attached. Any increase in the number of people receiving digital training may mean cuts elsewhere and limit the flexibility for devolved areas. Is it possible to train 10 million adults in England in basic digital skills with no increased funding? What are the implications for other provision? 25
Q3 - Discuss The government’s Digital Strategy encourages cross -sector partnerships Which partnerships would help deliver the digital entitlement? How could these be established? 26
Q4 - Discuss What comments/ recommendations would you make in response to the consultation? – Role of family / community learning, colleges, employers, LEPS, job centres? – Local solutions to meet local needs? – Commissioning: outcome commissioning frameworks/ payment by results ? – Qualified vs non- qualified provision? Level 2? – Support for Universal Credit? – Evidencing impact? 27
Staff CPD • Technology for under represented adults 28
Technology for under represented adults Register on AE Pro http://www.ae-pro.eu/ Delegates can join the course at any time and will be awarded Open Badges for the completion of tasks
CONTACT susan.easton@learningandwork.org.uk ‹#›
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