CAPITAL WATCH ISSUE 1 2018

80% of the top 25 in-demand skills reported in a survey by LinkedIn related to tech or data TheMayor of London has also recognised this shortcoming and has launched a £7 million programme to inspire young Londoners to enter the sector Access to talent In an industry driven by talent, London has developed a reputation for attracting a high-quality pool of labour from all around the world. London’s global status and top-class universities have created a magnet for foreign creative minds, building on domestic talent and ultimately accelerating the growth of the sector. A shortage of talent was cited as the number one challenge facing London tech according to a recent Tech London Advocates survey (cited by 29% of respondents). Brexit is creating additional uncertainty about the ability of the sector to retain its vital international workforce. The demand for digital skills is proliferating beyond the tech sector. Tech jobs are in high demand across all sectors, which, combined with the expansion of large tech companies, is exacerbating the skills gap. 80% of the top 25 in-demand skills reported in a survey by LinkedIn related to tech or data. Concerns around talent are not just Brexit-related. The tech sector needs to diversify, with an under- representation of females and BAME employees in the London tech scene. Female tech workers comprise only 10% of tech professionals in the UK and, in a recent survey, only 13% of females had a desire to work in the sector. For London to continue to compete globally there needs to be greater integration of education and industry to nurture home-grown talent. In 2016, just 2% of all A levels taken were in Computer Science: more needs to be done to make it appealing to a wider audience. Universities and schools adapting to produce the right skills is one possible route, but the development of skills though organisations such as Makers Academy, where you can learn to code in 12 weeks, and Code First, who recently launched a programme to teach 20,000 young women how to code for free by the end of 2020, are essential to bring through the next generation of talent. The Mayor of London has also recognised the current shortcomings and has launched a £7 million programme to inspire young Londoners to enter the sector. CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD 04 COVER STORY