Skills - Digital Poverty

Dr Sam Parrett OBE, principal of London South East Colleges

According to the latest government statistics, there are still 5.3 million adults in the UK, or 10% of the adult UK population, who don’t use the internet. Millions more rely on pay-as-you-go services to make phone calls or access education or healthcare services online.

The coronavirus pandemic has accentuated the digital divide between the “haves” and the “have-nots”. While those with internet access have been able to work from home and communicate with colleagues, friends and loved ones in the lockdown, those without have been left isolated. This has had a marked effect on the education of young people. Challenging the government on the devastating impact of lengthy school closures on poorer pupils, Robert Halfon, chairman of the education select committee, said that around 700,000 disadvantaged children were not doing homework and did not have proper access to computers or the internet – essential tools for online learning.

It’s a problem that is particularly acute in South East London. Of the 8,000 students that attend London South East Colleges (LSEC), 36% don’t have easy access to online learning provision, such as a PC/ laptop and reliable internet connectivity. According to the research carried out by LSEC, while some students could use a shared PC/laptop within their household, 11% had zero access to such a device. In addition, some students did not have other critical facilities they needed to work effectively, such as good broadband connectivity.

The digital DIVIDE

As the technological revolution gathers pace, it’s often taken for granted that people use a smart phone or have access to the internet. However, there’s a significant portion of the UK population that remains in digital poverty.

In the current climate in which the coronavirus is forcing more people to work and study online, this means that around 800 LSEC students are struggling to learn the skills they need to either further their education, progress their career or get a job.

Dr Sam Parrett OBE, principal of LSEC, says: “Lockdown has exacerbated the gap between those who can operate online and those who can’t. This affects many aspects of life, not just studying – paying bills or shopping online, for example.

“It also has major implications for someone’s employability, earnings potential and social mobility. In this day and age, people shouldn’t have to choose between putting food on the table or having broadband so they can apply for a job online.”

LSEC has reduced the problem for some disadvantaged students, procuring 425 laptops for those who do not currently have one. However, the lack of a PC/ laptop is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to tackling barriers to digital mobility.

Sam says: “There are three main problems: the availability and affordability of devices, the availability and affordability of connectivity, and the prevalent lack of digital skills, especially among older people. A lot of older people don’t have the confidence

“There are three main problems: the availability and affordability of devices, the availability and affordability of connectivity, and the prevalent lack of digital skills, especially among older people.”

to go online to acquire digital skills even if they have the means to do so. Younger people, in contrast, go on You Tube to learn how to do coding or digital marketing.”

While colleges can do their bit to tackle the digital divide, Sam believes it will take a coordinated approach at policy level to start significantly narrowing that gap.

“It needs a shock tactic from government to highlight this incredibly important issue, to find ways of increasing digital access and skills for all parts of society,” she says. “Failure to do so will damage the competitiveness of local businesses and prevent social mobility.

“Businesses also need to consider how they can help tackle the issue. Many employers post job vacancies on Indeed or LinkedIn but they may be missing out on suitable candidates who can’t get online. Perhaps they could also partner with Jobcentre Plus to host more job fairs, for example, or encourage staff to refer potential candidates from their local community?

“Everyone has to adapt to the inevitable move towards digital and online learning: education providers, government, students, employers and workers. It’s essential that people don’t get left behind on this journey.

“Digital is fast becoming the third basic essential skill along with literacy and numeracy. Virtually all jobs now require some level of digital capability, even in sectors such as engineering and manufacturing. It’s therefore essential that we all try to close this digital gap for the good of society and the economy.”