Report highlights urgent need for digital skills support in West Midlands
Despite widespread awareness of digital transformation’s importance, most West Midlands organisations are struggling to keep pace.
According to a new report by Netcom Training and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) just one in five businesses feel fully equipped with the digital skills needed to compete.
The Mastering the Future with Digital Skills report surveyed over 550 employees across Greater Birmingham, Coventry & Warwickshire and the Black Country, with findings showing a clear gap between aspiration and capability.
While more than half of businesses recognise the importance of digital marketing and AI many lack the knowledge, confidence and infrastructure to turn ambition into action.
Kevin Vashi (pictured), managing director at Netcom Training said: “Technology is moving faster than ever, and while it brings about huge opportunities, it also creates a real challenge.
“According to government statistics, approximately 18 per cent of UK adults - that’s 7.5 million people - lack the essential skills needed for the workplace.
“Closing the digital skills gap is more than just the technology, it is about building a future where no one is left behind.”
The research found that the cost of training and development remains the largest barrier to progress, closely followed by a lack of time to manage training.
Smaller organisations are disproportionally affected, often struggling to identify what kind of digital skills or qualifications are most relevant for their teams.
These findings were backed up by the West Midlands Digital Skills Employer Survey conducted by TechWM, where lack of budget was identified as the biggest roadblock (55 per cent) followed by lack of knowledge about the funding available (42 per cent).
Raj Kandola, acting deputy chief executive at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “Equipping the workforce with digital skills is essential to drive productivity, innovation and growth.
“Businesses that embrace technology from data analytics and AI to digital marketing and cybersecurity can adapt faster, boost productivity and compete globally, securing the region’s position as a hub of enterprise and innovation.”
The report calls for greater coordination between government, training providers and employers to close the gap between digital ambition and action.
Recommendations include improved promotion of funded digital skills programmes, new short courses for business leaders on AI and digital transformation, and more opportunities for peer-to-peer knowledge sharing through employer forums.
It also urges targeted funding to help SMEs develop essential digital infrastructure and foundational capabilities needed to unlock advanced digitalisation and AI adoption.
Netcom Training and the GBCC have already acted on these findings, launching a pilot programme ‘AI for Business Leaders’ that is designed to help regional employers build confidence and clarity around implementing new technologies.
