Two strategies which set out a roadmap for Jersey’s digital future have been launched at an event at the Raddison Blu hotel.
The Government of Jersey’s Digital Education Strategy (DES) report assesses the current use – and future of – technology in schools. The Digital Jersey Digital Skills Strategy Refresh provides updated recommendations for developing digital skills in the workforce.
The Digital Jersey Digital Skills Strategy Refresh report updates the 2018 strategy and has been produced by the same team from the University of Exeter. It reviews the progress that has been made and makes up-to-date recommendations for the next steps in upskilling our workforce in a post Covid world.
The recommendations contained within the Refresh of the Digital Skills Strategy are grouped into six areas, including:
- Lead role for Digital Jersey in digital skills and partnership with Jersey Employer Group.
- Increased focus of Digital Jersey Academy on workforce upskilling.
- Increased promotion to and engagement with both companies and individuals.
The Government’s Digital Education Strategy (DES) report assesses the current state of technology use in schools and looks forward to a future of innovation, collaboration and increasing opportunity for learners to follow a digital career pathway. The report also sets out a roadmap for harnessing digital skills and using technology to close the digital divide for children with additional needs, enabling them to thrive with their peers.
The Strategy report provides seven key recommendations, including
- Bringing together partners and organisations in a formal collaborative structure of engagement, described as a digital learning ecosystem
- Developing a curriculum plan and learning hub for delivering digital skills, called the Young Digital Citizen
- Ensuring that equity and inclusivity of access is embedded in any future work Children, Young People, Education and Skills (CYPES) and Digital Jersey will be working closely together to implement the recommendations of both reports.
Minister for Children and Education, Deputy Inna Gardiner, said: “The Digital Education Strategy builds on the work done by previous Governments and brings together different Government departments and key partners – including Digital Jersey and Highlands College – to achieve its goals.
“I am also pleased to see the emphasis on using digital as a tool to ensure that we include children with special educational needs and disabilities, and children with English as an additional language. If we want to Jersey to thrive in a digital future, we need to ensure that all children have the chance to develop their skills.
“I’d like to thank Digital Jersey for their leadership in this area, and the Skills Jersey officers who have worked hard to bring this vision together.”
Tony Moretta (pictured), CEO of Digital Jersey, added: “The original Digital Skills Strategy, launched over four years ago, led to the creation of the Digital Skills Partnership and the Digital Jersey Academy, and with the support of Government so many people have benefited from the courses offered since.
“However, in a post-pandemic world and the current economic climate our need for digital skills is only growing exponentially, and this refresh of our strategy, along with initiatives like the Technology Accelerator Programme, is absolutely essential if we are to continue to thrive as a strong knowledge-based economy.”
The Digital Jersey Digital Skills Strategy will be available online here.
The Government of Jersey Digital Education will be available via the Government of Jersey website.
