Over 102,000 people currently work in the region’s digital sector and that number is expected to grow at 10 times the rate of non-digital jobs. That’s underlined by labour market analysts EMSI (Economic Modelling Specialists International) predictions that there will be around 15,000 new job openings in digital occupations across the Leeds City Region over the next seven years.
Discover Digital is a Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) initiative designed to inspire people into training, re-training or up-skilling to help them fill the growing number of digitally skilled jobs.
Visitors to the new Discover Digital website will find information and links to explore new careers, potential employers and hear inspiring stories to help them develop their career. The site also features business profiles and links to useful networks and learning providers.
According to the Northern Tech 100 Report by Tech North, Leeds City Region is home to 23 of the fastest growing technology businesses in the North. The sector combines creative media, data analytics, cyber security, FinTech, telecoms and health and education technologies and is already transforming global businesses.
In addition, the region boasts the highest number of scale-up digital companies outside the South East and is outstripping Bristol and Manchester for employment growth in digital and creative industries.
By helping people develop their skills and advance their careers and prospects through Discover Digital, the LEP aims address Leeds City Region’s digital skills shortage and prevent it being a barrier to productivity. Tech Nation’s Report 2018 showed that the City Region is in line with a UK digital skills shortage. The UK network for tech entrepreneurs reported that when asked, 50% of the UK’s digital tech community highlighted a shortage of highly skilled employees and nearly 25% described sourcing talent as a ‘major challenge’.
For more information about Leeds City Region’s Discover Digital click here
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