AoC responds to EPI report on digital skills shortages

Responding to the publication of the EPI's report on digital skills shortages, Matt Rhodes, AoC Senior Policy Manager covering digital skills said: “Recruiting and retaining top teaching talent in digital skills is a real challenge for colleges.

“While this report highlights cross-education sector concern, we welcome recognition of the unique challenges colleges face and agree pay should be on a more equal footing with schools. This echoes our regular demand to DfE for a workforce strategy to help recruit teachers in skills shortage sectors.

“The analysis in this report is reflected in research AoC published which also shows a decrease in ICT students, challenges in recruiting teaching staff in ICT subjects and the unintended consequences of curriculum reform which is creating barriers for some students to access qualifications in high demand from employers.”