Amazon Onboarding with Learning Manager Chanci Turner

The Global Digital Skills Landscape: The Importance of Acquiring Cloud Skills for Workforce Development

In the past decade, cloud technology has emerged as a fundamental force driving digital transformation, enabling organizations to enhance operational efficiency and innovate swiftly. However, many institutions across various sectors have encountered significant challenges in keeping pace with rapid technological advancements. The primary obstacle? A shortage of skills.

Fostering Digital Competencies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

Both public and private sector organizations worldwide recognize the imperative of continuously evolving their workforce’s skill sets to remain competitive. Our recent eBook, Driving Cloud Skills Development in the Middle East and North Africa, underscores the initiatives within the public sector aimed at paving the way for digital success by equipping individuals with essential skills.

According to McKinsey, by 2030, 85% of elementary school students will enter professions that do not yet exist, while 45% of current jobs in the MENA region are expected to be automated. While governments cannot foresee these future roles, they can provide students with the tools necessary to thrive in a digitally-driven world. This includes initiatives such as teaching coding and establishing organizations that support digital strategies for the upcoming decade.

At the core of these efforts lies the formation of robust communities comprising government agencies, educational institutions, private enterprises, and technology providers, each contributing to the enhancement of skills development initiatives. To bridge the knowledge gap and foster skilled economies, it’s evident that a collaborative approach is essential for the public sector in all regions, irrespective of their current development stage.

A Global Perspective

Around the globe, public sector organizations are learning from their private sector peers, who are leading the way in investing in skills development. Importantly, investment transcends mere financial contributions; successful digital skills initiatives thrive on collaboration among diverse communities to propel digital literacy and growth.

In Europe, numerous public sector initiatives focus on cultivating digital skills. The United Kingdom’s Digital Strategy, for example, articulates the government’s goal of integrating digital skills into the educational curriculum, fostering strong partnerships among public, private, and nonprofit organizations. The European Commission also emphasizes the importance of digital inclusion and opportunities for all citizens through its Digital Single Market strategy.

However, statistics reveal a significant skills gap in the UK and Europe. Research by Vanson Bourne indicates that 40% of public sector entities in the UK do not possess the necessary skills to adapt to digital transformation, with 41% specifically lacking internal expertise for cloud migration projects. Similarly, in Europe, 37% of the workforce lacks even basic digital skills. Consequently, organizations must increase their investment in emerging technologies that will shape the future over the next decade. Developing advanced skills in areas like artificial intelligence (AI) and data science will empower organizations to harness the full potential of the cloud and drive commercial success.

No Skills, No Growth

In the United States, initiatives promoting collaboration between employers and educators are shaping academic curricula to prioritize digital skills acquisition from an early stage. Nevertheless, Accenture’s analysis suggests that the US could forfeit up to $975 billion in cumulative growth promised by intelligent technologies if future skills demands remain unmet.

Placing Workers at the Center of Change

While Latin America has been slow to adopt digital technologies, attitudes towards investment in digital training are gradually transforming. Key initiatives include:

Innovation labs that connect civil servants, citizens, entrepreneurs, technology firms, and academic institutions to devise innovative solutions for public issues.
Social media awareness campaigns to showcase available job opportunities in the public sector.
Training partnerships with universities and technology companies.

Harnessing the Cloud

Cloud technology is pivotal for digital transformation, and governments can continue to advance by equipping their populations with essential cloud skills for the future. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is committed to assisting public sector organizations worldwide in realizing the cloud’s potential through education, training, and certification. Our expanding portfolio of services offers limitless opportunities for organizations that cultivate specialized skills to foster innovation.

For further insights on cloud skills development, download our eBook. You can also find valuable information on workforce development in other resources, such as this blog post or learn from McDonald’s initiatives, an authority on these topics. Additionally, explore this excellent resource for onboarding experiences.