Digital Futures is really excited to announce our SkillsBuild partnership with IBM, as we work together to close the digital skills gap and create sustainable employment.
The world of work is transforming, and digital skills are crucial to most, if not all, entry-level roles. IBM SkillsBuild is a free, digital training programme that helps learners develop skills and explore career options, regardless of their background or education. As of 2022, IBM SkillsBuild operates in 159 countries, offering over 1,000 courses in 19 languages in technical disciplines such as cybersecurity, AI, quantum computing, or data analysis, as well as workplace skills. Participants can earn IBM-branded digital credentials to certify their relevant skills which will allow them to compete in an increasingly digital economy.
This mission is remarkably aligned to Digital Futures own, and we are delighted to be collaborating with IBM via the SkillsBuild to plug the digital skills gap. Our carte blanche access to the SkillsBuild platform will support the development and learning journeys of all our engineers and will also enhance our software engineering, cloud engineering and data pathways to ensure that we are constantly at the forefront of technological developments.
As we work to remove barriers to the technology industry, we are also thrilled to announce that the opportunities provided by the SkillsBuild platform will also be offered to the wider Digital Futures community. Unsuccessful applicants to our Academy will be provided with tailor-made learning frameworks aligned to their area of interest, as well as being given access to the wider SkillsBuild platform to enable them to gain core technology and workplace skills and earn professional badges.
Speaking about the partnership, Digital Futures CEO Scott Vincent said: “I couldn’t be more excited that Digital Futures has been chosen by IBM UK as a SkillsBuild partner. SkillsBuild is a hugely important branch of IBM’s work which aligns so well with our own mission. SkillsBuild will help us to ensure our training is constantly evolving and will be crucial in supporting the growth of our engineers.”
“I’m also delighted that we will be offering SkillsBuild to those people who don’t quite make it on to our programmes. Our application windows are consistently oversubscribed and, with such a finite number of spaces available in each cohort, being able to provide resources to those who don’t quite make it is something we are incredibly proud of. We hope that the skills applicants gain will give them the advantage they need in their search for employment or allow them to successfully reapply to Digital Futures.”
Vikki Bradney-Spencer, IBM UK Corporate Social Responsibility Lead shared “Education and skills are a key focus for us at IBM and we are all working towards our mission of helping to re-skill 30 million people of all ages by 2030, for the jobs of tomorrow. As our Global CEO Arvind Krishna said “Talent is everywhere; training opportunities are not. We must take big and bold steps to expand access to digital skills and employment opportunities so that more people — regardless of their background — can take advantage of the digital economy.” This is why, at IBM, we are delighted to be working with Digital Futures – we see them as a key strategic partner in the drive to close the digital skills gap.”
Christopher West 
Digital Futures 
Abhishek Ladwa 
Ruth Evans 