BIMA Digital Day Celebrates 7 Years of Digital Inspiration

BIMA Digital Day on 12th November, is a day when 7000+ 13-18 year-olds across Britain will discover for the first time the opportunities available to them through a career in digital and technology.

 

Once a year, companies from across the industry send experts back to school to share real world experiences and insights with young people, helping them work through challenges. This year’s challenges have been set by Wimbledon, global software consultancy EPAM and the World's Largest Lesson/Microbit Educational Foundation.

 

Digital Day makes a difference. BIMA has found that 87% of young people who hear about careers on Digital Day want to find out more about a digital career, and the initiative has become a vital tool bridging the gap between education and industry and addressing the ongoing need for skills.

“Before BIMA Digital Day, many students would not even have considered a career in that area. Having someone come in to show them the possibilities makes all the difference. Thanks to BIMA, we now have a valuable link with the digital industry and it’s led to a bigger relationship that has allowed students to be better informed about career options and more motivated to succeed in digital subjects.” said Michael Worden, head of computing, Westholme School, Blackburn

“The computing curriculum is so theoretical, BIMA Digital Day gave me a completely different perspective from what I’d learned in the classroom and it made me want to study it at college. I wish I’d had this kind of exposure at a younger age, as it took practical experience for me to understand what I could be doing.” says Hope Carr Oddie, Goldman Sachs digital apprenticeship, BIMA Digital Day 2016

 

Despite all the uncertainty in the UK economy, the digital sector continues to be a major success story, yet the industry is struggling to keep up with a growing skills shortage. A recent CBI/TCS report reinforced the talent pipeline crisis, with 60% of larger firms reporting that their digital skills needs will increase dramatically over the next three to five years. Meanwhile, 69% of small businesses report they will see a significant increase in their needs over the next two years.

 

Natalie Gross, BIMA co-president says: “Today, thousands of young people will find out about career opportunities they never knew they had. Over one third of students who take part in Digital Day say they don’t get the digital learning they need, and the statistics show that businesses are crying out for talent. We say it’s time to change the statistics.”

 

Natalie continues: “The skills shortage message is important and we are making inroads. Government, industry and education are coming together to create solutions. But not fast enough, not positively enough, and not far reaching enough. 

 

“So today on BIMA Digital Day, we are asking for Britain to stand and celebrate the role our digital and technology talent plays on an international stage. To celebrate individual stories of success and inspiration. To raise awareness of our awesome industry. Happy 7th Birthday Digital Day.”