The DCF: Digital Connectivity Barriers

Fuel Recruitment have partnered with the Digital Connectivity Forum (DCF) to seek information focusing on the barriers to entering the telecoms and digital connectivity sector. Within this survey, the DCF would love to hear more around your awareness, perception, and how accessible you find the telecoms and digital connectivity sector as a place to build a career.

Please find the survey here: Digital Connectivity Barriers

The statistics have been pointing towards a lack of diversity and an emerging skills gap across the telecoms and connectivity sector. With reports from UKTIN suggesting that [1]60% of telecoms engineers are over the age of 50 and a study from Engineering UK suggesting that only 3% of the telecom’s tech workforce are under 35, the sector looks set to grapple with an ageing workforce and an increasing skills deficit.

In addition, reports indicate a lower rate of female representation, particularly amongst senior roles.

The Digital Connectivity Forum, the UK Government’s primary advisory group on the provision of seamless digital connectivity, has come together with the members of its diversity, equity, and inclusion working group to tackle the question of how we ensure a strong flow of talent into the sector. Including what might be making people hesitate, or turn away from, careers in this vibrant and opportunity rich industry.

Great work is already taking place across the sector, with many companies integrating inclusive practices, apprenticeship schemes, and other targeted work to improve the accessibility and inclusivity of the sector.

The report from the Digital Connectivity Forum aims to answer the questions of what the perceptions of the telecoms and connectivity sector are. Both to those with experience of it, and those who have never considered it before. Are people aware of the sector and its variety of opportunities, and what challenges do people experience when considering, or working, in telecoms and connectivity.

It will do this by focusing on key demographics across the talent pool including: 18-25-year-olds and those still in education, job seekers, apprentices, career switchers and career returners.

The end report will examine these results to discuss recommendations to overcome identified challenges. Exploring together how the industry can become an accessible and inclusive place for everyone, and ensure that it has a talent pipeline strong enough to support this critical industry as it delivers the social and economic rewards of an advanced and resilient connectivity system.

If you have any questions, or would like to speak to the DCF team directly, you can do so by contacting them at secretariat@connectivityuk.org.

[1] ^{https://www.techuk.org/resource/drumming-up-talent-for-future-telecoms.html?}