Leicester and Leicestershire digital inclusion research report 2024 has now been launched. The updated report on digital poverty within this area is now available.
With an ever-increasing growth in the use of basic digital skills in the workplace, along with accessing services, learning, and using technology in the workplace, the research aimed to develop a fuller understanding of area challenges related to digital exclusion across the Leicester and Leicestershire area.
In particular, the L&LBSP wanted to draw together updated feedback* and data to assess area digital poverty issues for employers, young people, and adults across the region, especially any changes in needs since 2021, when the LLEP originally undertook area digital poverty research.
Employers, partners, stakeholders, and people from education, skills and business were encouraged to complete the short survey and feed in any evidence that they have on area digital exclusion challenges. Over 40 responses were received. The report includes some useful insights, including:
- Some projects indicated that challenges such as access, skills and connectivity have improved a little since Covid.
- There remain some issues with digital poverty impacting all age groups, but the problems identified impact different age groups in different ways.
- The most disadvantaged are still at greatest risk of digital poverty.
- There are various programmes that can support some of these challenges, but the information is not uniformly known- so there is scope to improve this.
- Businesses increasingly needing at least basic digital skills across a wide range of roles and continuing to report skills gaps and are not always being aware of upskilling options- so there is scope to improve this.
Anna Cyhan, Business and Skills Engagement Manager collated the report, and findings will help local skills needs considerations and activity and may also be used to support and inform future area skills investments. The L&LBSP hope to do further scoping on available digital skills support to help both businesses and individuals feel more confident in accessing free or low-cost basic digital skills support, and improve area skills.
See the report here.
*In spring 2021 the LLEP led on a successful digital call for evidence to support area skills research as part of Covid recovery. This concluded with a short report on the findings, with over 40 responses by a broad range of services, which then led to the formation of an area Digital Skills Partnership, and seven area digital poverty projects funded to address area issues, and support area skills.
