Millions needed to boost public sector digital skills

The rapidly changing digital landscape means the government will need to spend at least £725 million over the next few years if it is to have staff equipped to deal with emerging challenges, according to a new report from the National Audit Office (NAO).

The NAO warns that the government will need to hire an additional 2,000 employees by 2022 if it is to keep pace with demand for skills, IT Pro reports.

The government’s recently-announced Digital Strategy set out training opportunities for private sector workers but there are concerns that the civil service’s workforce has been shrunk by around 25 per cent since 2006 and has faced increased workloads yet smaller budgets.

According to the NAO report, government departments know they lack the specialist skills to operate in a digital economy and don’t have senior management who can lead on project planning and contract management.

"Departments also reported that they would need around 2,000 additional staff in digital roles within five years' time, although those responsible for government's digital skills believe this is an underestimate," the report says.

The cost of additional staff is thought to be around £145 million a year, or £725 million spread over five years, but this is considered the minimum spend.

Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office, was quoted as saying: "The civil service is facing ever-increasing challenges.

“The work of government is becoming more technical, continuing budgetary restraint is putting pressure on departments and the decision to leave the EU means government will have to develop new skills and take on work previously done by others.

"Government has gaps in its capability and knows it must do more to develop the skills it needs.”