Digital Technology: Adult Education
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support adults to expand their digital capability.
Answered by Janet Daby
The Digital Essential Skills Entitlement, funded by the Adult Skills Fund, provides full funding for adults with low digital skills to undertake Essential Digital Skills Qualifications (EDSQs) and digital Functional Skills qualifications up to level 1.
More flexible provision is available through Tailored Learning which offers bespoke courses in essential digital skills.
The Free Courses for Jobs offer gives eligible adults access to high value level 3 qualifications for free, to support them to gain higher wages or a better job. The offer currently includes 45 digital qualifications.
The department provides a range of post 16 academic and technical digital qualifications. There are currently 34 occupational standards in digital occupations and we are set to introduce foundation apprenticeships for young people, the first wave of which includes two digital standards. There are 78 Higher Technical Qualifications in the digital sector. Skills Bootcamps enable adults to build sector-specific skills, and 61% of 2022/23 Skills Bootcamp starts were in digital.
The Digital Inclusion Action Plan outlines steps toward delivering digital inclusion for everyone in the UK, including supporting local and community initiatives to increase digital participation and digital skills. The new Industrial Strategy will channel support to eight growth-driving sectors, including digital technologies.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →