New research from digital services company AND Digital reveals that nearly a third (31%) of over 55s want to improve their digital skills to ensure they can have another career or role before they retire, but are not being encouraged or supported by their organisations with training to do so.
This comes at a time when a lack of digital skills is having direct consequences for UK businesses, with 61% of business growth depending on digital outcomes. The majority (81%) of managing directors also admit that a lack of digital skills is negatively impacting their organisation.
Despite the urgent need for digitally skilled employees in the workforce and demand from over 55s to be digitally upskilled, six in 10 (60%) of over 55s have not received digital upskilling from their employer. In fact, nearly a fifth (19%) feel they lack sufficient digital skills even for their current job roles – let alone new ones.
However, a perceived stigma around digital upskilling is holding workers back from putting themselves forward for training. Over a quarter (29%) of over 55s want to improve their digital skills but feel daunted by the prospect and don’t feel comfortable bringing it up with their employer. Younger employees are also experiencing this barrier, with two fifths (40%) of 18-34 year olds saying they’re embarrassed by their lack of digital skills as they’re younger than most employees and feel they should have a better understanding.
