On Monday 23rd September, Livingston James hosted the next instalment of our new technology event series, Choose Computing Science, in partnership with Toni Scullion. The series aims to explore ways to reduce Scotland’s digital skills gap and inspire the next generation to enter the world of technology.
Most of the tech community will be familiar with Toni Scullion; but for those who are not, she is a computing science teacher, founder of the charity dressCode and the Computing Science Scotland initiative, co-founder of the Ada Scotland Festival, as well as co-lead of Scottish Teachers Advancing Computing Science (STACS).
Toni’s mission is to get more pupils into computing science from a young age and inspire the next generation, particularly girls who are underrepresented in the industry. It was interesting to hear about Toni’s personal experiences with computer science in schools and the practical, impactful ways individuals can help shape the future of the industry.
Toni’s efforts align with a broader industry movement to address the growing demand for digital skills and innovation. This collaboration between education and industry is crucial, as businesses recognise the importance of nurturing talent from an early age, to ensure we can support economic growth.
In this session, we were joined by leading representatives from British brands across a range of sectors, including media, consultancy, and manufacturing, all showcasing their commitment to supporting and future-proofing the technology sector.
By working together, our group of tech professionals aim not only to meet the immediate demands of the technology sector but also to support building a robust pipeline of future talent. This requires early intervention in education to foster an interest in computing science, particularly among underrepresented groups.
A key takeaway from the event was the need to spark interest in computing science among young people — as well as key influencers such as parents, guardians, and other role models — at every age and stage of education. Waiting until high school is too late. A collaborative approach between parents / guardians, teachers / educators, industry and government is required to ensure that the curriculum is fit for purpose and opportunities are visible and accessible.
Toni, backed by evidence from a report from Reform Scotland, highlighted challenges around recruitment, access, awareness, the gender gap, and overall uptake. One striking finding was the 25% drop in computing science teachers over the last 15 years, despite the growing importance of technology in modern society.
With the education curriculum being reviewed every five years, staying relevant amid rapid technological change is challenging. Limited time and resources mean the computing science curriculum only covers a fraction of the tech sphere. The industry sector must clearly communicate the key skills in demand to help shape a practical, valuable education. Attendees at our event recalled how workplace visits and hands-on project work helped make their studies more engaging and solidified their interest in the subject, indicating the need for stronger industry-classroom collaboration in today’s curriculum.
Understanding how to make computing science appealing to young people will be key to increasing uptake of the subject, whether this be showcasing relatable role models, demonstrating the level of variety / career paths available to young people through studying computing science, or appealing to their intrinsic motivations with stories around tech for good. A multi-faceted approach will be most impactful.
These events have been a great platform to inform industry professionals about these challenges. However, a collaborative, strategic approach is essential to closing the digital skills gap and ‘creating digital leaders, not just consumers.’
If you are interested in joining future events, please contact [email protected] for more information.
