Employers are demanding workers who are experienced and capable with digital skills, however, the workforce is struggling to keep up. Digital advancements have brought with them a wealth of new opportunities but have also contributed to the disruption of the labour market. This is particularly true for young people who are often the ones at the sharp end of the labour market most at risk of automation and market shifts.

As a leading UK youth charity, The Prince’s Trust has responded by developing an accessible and ambitious digital skills pathway that will sit at the core of our future employability support for young people. Together with delivery partners with industry knowledge, we aim to prepare young people with the skills and knowledge they require to access transformational jobs in the sector. This in turn looks to help fill the 870,000 vacancies in the sector with talented, diverse young people.

We know from last year’s (2021) Nominet Digital Youth Index that young men are more likely to be interested in taking up a role in the sector.  To counter this, The Trust exists to serve those who are particularly underrepresented. By 2023, our programmes will serve 50% women and 1 in 3 young people will come from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds nationally.

I was struck reading a sneak peek of this year’s Index (2022) section on digital skills, which will be released on Monday 17^th October, to find how many young people say they are interested in an advanced digital career. Motivation is high among young people, backed by our own research of economically inactive young people released this summer, we found that almost half a million NEET young people are able and want to work and 58% are actively looking.

However, whilst unemployment nationally is at a low, those who are NEET have increasingly complex needs and their confidence is at an all time low.

This is why The Prince’s Trust are working with Nominet to bridge this gap by developing a digital employability tool  which offers holistic support – not just offering our fully developed technical pathways, but the inspiration and mentoring to get young people in position to take this next step in their lives.

We are delighted to support the launch of Nominet’s Digital Youth Index this coming Monday 17^th October. You’ll hear from our UK Chief Executive Jonathan Townsend and a whole host of exciting speakers. We’ll be streaming the event live from The Prince’s Trust centre in Manchester, once home to the famous nightclub Sankeys, which offers a safe, physical hub in the city for young people to meet our Youth Development Leads, enquire about our services or attend a programme.

Chris Leeming, Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager at The Prince’s Trust

The Princes’s Trust working to collaborate with partners to maximise impact in the support of young people. The Prince’s Trust is a youth charity that helps young people aged 11 to 30 get into jobs, education and training. The Prince’s Trust believe that every young person should have the chance to embrace exciting opportunities. Working with delivery partners across the UK, they offer hundreds of free courses, grants and mentoring opportunities to inspire young people to build their confidence and start a career; supporting them to achieve their full potential.

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