Page 44 - Neath Port Talbot Skills Report 2024

Current Skill Requirements
Digital skills are becoming the heart of every sector
with more demand from all industry types to utilise
digital processes, couple this with Digital skills
requirements being required for all NPT future
projects and plans, this is a key priority particularly
when looking at the skills gaps in other sectors. By
having a strong digital culture, all sectors can
potentially alleviate many current skill gaps by
adapting Industry 4.0 (AI, disruptive technologies,
machine learning, automation etc)
Jobs in NPT for digital are up 6% since 2018 however
as a county it is around 16% below the national
average for jobs of this type.
Demand in the county for these skills has seen a 38%
increase in advertised median wages since 2020 with
job posting intensity continuing to grow month on
month.
Skills required now tend to be within computing and
coding skill sets with difficult to fill positions being:
Digital
• IT Support Officers
• Software Developers
• .NET Developers*
• IT Business Analysts
• Cyber security
• Managers
*Most difficult to fill roles in the sector 2022 / 23
With a firm government strategy for digital
expansion and the Net Zero agenda which digital
services will be at the heart of, in terms of delivering
a smaller carbon footprint through efficiency
measures. Digital technology will be intrinsic into the
decarbonisation of industry.
Inclusion and equality remains top of the agenda –
ensuring every young person has the opportunity to
move into meaningful work and that means ensuring
opportunities are available to learn and upskill.
Using digital technology to engage and excite young
people to enabling and rewarding careers. Digital
however is not taught in a consistent way as
part of the curriculum across all schools in the
county.
Barriers
Recruitment of digital educators
is a key barrier for an improved
digital economy, many learning
institutions struggle to recruit
suitable teachers for these roles.
Digital is a fast-paced
environment with new technology
being released at an alarming
speed, keeping up with this
development is a challenge for
educators.
Many digital professionals can
work from home, making it easier
to work for a company offering
better work packages from
outside of the county.
Disconnected-Report-final.pdf (worldskillsuk.org)
Digital 2030: strategic framework | GOV.WALES
Delivering Economic Transformation for a Better Future of Work
(gov.wales)
44