Across the UK, searches for remote learning tech training and skills development programmes have increased by over 40% on average, as the lockdown drives the uptake of continuous professional development (CPD) with people out of work.
With the latest employment figures showing that 649,000 fewer UK workers were employed in June compared with March – when lockdown began, Ironhack has surveyed data from a range of Google searches for tech skills courses to uncover how many people are looking to upskill or shift to a career in tech.
The results demonstrate a considerable rise in searches when compared with 2019, with UI/UX coming out as the most in-demand skills on the list, surging by 62% and 56% respectively.
Tech training and skills search increases (based on searches for courses and training):
- User interface (UI): +62%
- User experience (UX): +56%
- Data analytics: +37%
- Software engineer: +36%
- Web developer: +27%
Pre-pandemic, the UK tech industry was growing six times faster than the rest of the economy, according to data from Tech Nation. Predictions also suggest that by 2030, 50% of the UK economy will be come from the digital, tech and creative sectors. With more than 13,000 tech job listings published on Indeed in the last two weeks alone, demand for tech-based skills is soaring, and many are keen to upskill or are considering changing profession.
In October, the furlough scheme implemented in response to COVID-19 is set to come to an end, and with the UK and the world battling the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, many are concerned about the stability of their employment and fear losing their jobs. As a result, Ironhack and LandingJobs have launched a €300,000 scholarship programme devised to help people transition into a tech career and reduce unemployment.
The scholarships will cover full or partial tuition for Ironhack remote learning programmes and bootcamps in Lisbon, Madrid and Barcelona. No previous experience is necessary and applications close on 28 July.
“Both Ironhack and LandingJobs have been playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of work in our communities. We have a shared belief that the tech ecosystem will provide the best employment opportunities moving forward. We have created our new scholarship programme to support career changers and those looking to upskill with the very best training available,” said Álvaro Rojas, head of remote learning at Ironhack.
“When you consider the current employment landscape and look at the experiences of those who have graduated with us, there really is no better time to become a web-developer, UX/UI designer or data analyst. Our scholarships are designed to enable people to change their lives and transition to a career they love.”
In other news: 44% of businesses have experience a cyber-attack in the last 12 months