Digital Jersey has unveiled its vision to ensure the Island is equipped to fill employment needs within the growing sector of the economy.
Among the core focuses of the digital strategy is ensuring children learn more digital skills throughout their school years with the hope that more will take on digital courses at higher education.
The strategy was launched after a recent review was carried out into the provision of Island-based digital learning.
Digital Jersey have regularly called on government to do more to ensure that the digital sector is appropriately staffed with qualified people in the future. On average, 17 out of every 1,000 Jersey school pupils go on to study digital courses at higher-education level.
Tony Moretta, the chief executive of Digital Jersey, said: ‘There is no drawback to investing in digital skills, as everyone needs them.
‘In a diverse industry, with a high demand for qualified students in the workplace, it is essential that education programmes are created with the latest industry needs and employment in mind, and that means encouraging the adoption and enthusiasm for these subjects at an early age.’
The report says that the Digital Skills Academy would focus on delivering apprenticeship degrees at undergraduate and graduate level mainly through ‘distance learning’ and would be sponsored by employers. It also adds that the academy would work with the Education Department and businesses to develop shadow schemes, internships and work experience placements and cites the Jersey Institute of Law as an example of how to develop the local skills base.
Digital Jersey have said that they will hold meetings and discussions with the newly formed States Assembly after next month’s election to ensure that the strategy is on their agenda.
The proposals include plans for a Digital Enterprise Academy and for more work to be done to encourage young Islanders to learn more about the industry and what is needed to succeed within it.
Justin Donovan, chief executive of the Education Department, said: ‘Our young people live in a digital world so they need to be prepared to thrive within a digital environment.
‘The Education Department’s key aim is to ensure that they leave school with the skills, competencies, qualifications and attitudes they need to succeed as young adults.
‘We are delighted to have an opportunity to work with Digital Jersey to bring educators and employers together. We will work towards a relevant digital curriculum for our Island’s children and young people, one that can bridge the gap between the skills being taught in school, and those needed in the workplace.’
Digital Jersey carried out the review into the Island’s digital skills training in partnership with Exeter University, local businesses and the States.
Andrew Dean, senior impact and partnership development manager at Exeter University, added: ‘Jersey has significant potential to become a leading digital hub – it shares many parallels with other seaside destinations, such as Bournemouth and Brighton which have, in recent years, transformed their economies and the prosperity of their residents in becoming Britain’s leading digital clusters.’
