From digital marketing to data analysis and UX design, tech skills are relevant across most of the job market today. No matter what sector you work in, the tasks your employees perform every day rely on a sound knowledge of tools and processes.
Your employees are likely to become more productive and confident when they have a better understanding of the tools they are using. The knowledge of the right digital skills can also reduce the risk of losing a job to automation and, by demonstrating an array of tech skills, employees can require a higher salary.
From an employer’s perspective, employees with a better understanding of technology can improve processes and work towards cutting expenses. Moreover, offering employees the chance to attend technical training can increase their loyalty and commitment to the business.
Let’s break this down a bit more:
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Table of Contents
It’s easier to make new changes
Developing technical skills that are relevant to your sector, such as programming, increases your staff’s confidence. The more skills they are proficient in, the easier you will find it to introduce changes to the way jobs are carried out.
For example, you may want your staff to understand the foundational elements of coding. As with any other technical skills, your staff members bring to the table varying levels of expertise. You will want to find a tool or solution that all staff members can learn from. In this instance, the micro:bit would be a good place to start as this mini-computer is beginner-friendly while also giving more advanced learners the freedom to experiment with computing modules.
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Technology can be leveraged to cut expenses
The more technological expertise your employees have, the more money your business could save. It can be costly to turn to outside sources who have expertise in your computer processes, so knowledgeable employees are a massive bonus.
One of the universal technical skills for office workers is cybersecurity. The cost of a cyber breach can be huge, resulting in the loss of your customer base. Unfortunately, such breaches are not rare. One small business in the UK is hacked every 19 seconds, yet a shortage in the number of cybersecurity professionals means it’s not always easy to fill IT security roles. The good news is that it’s possible to give all your staff refresher sessions in cybersecurity, lessening the chance of a breach.
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More training opportunities make your staff feel valued
Employees who feel capable of carrying out their job without being brought to a halt by technical issues they don’t know how to handle tend to be happier.
What’s more, regular training makes employees feel valued, and it shows them that their feedback is being acknowledged.
A happy workplace benefits everyone. Research shows that well-trained teams have a 10% increased productivity rate and increased job satisfaction.
Regular technical training saves businesses time and money, as well as increases employee satisfaction. Taking the time to train staff in the technical skills that enhance their working experience never goes to waste!
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Tech skills contribute to customer satisfaction
Whether in a customer-facing role or behind the walls of an office, well-trained employees can make a difference in satisfying customers’ and clients’ requests. When provided with an issue, employees who have more tech knowledge will be more likely to find a solution that pleases the customer.
Ultimately, up-to-date tech skills mean that the staff should be more prepared when assisting customers, boosting satisfaction and sales.
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Security boost for the business
Tech-savvy employees will take data security more seriously. According to a 2022 report, the average cost of a data breach in the UK amounts to £4.56 million.
Breaches as a result of phishing emails are the most costly and can lead to stolen and compromised credentials. Ransomware is also becoming increasingly common, where hackers block access to business information until a fee is paid.
In this new digital landscape, employees need to have the skill set and training to recognise digital threats, report them, and contribute to the overall protection of business data.
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Collaboration and interaction opportunities
Tech skills allow employees the opportunity to collaborate with different teams and create a network of people they are comfortable working with, even outside the comfort zone of their team.
Strengthening relationships and communication across teams has an impact on employee well-being and organizational transparency. Improved communication can also drive internal innovation by creating a culture of openness where employees feel valued and are not afraid of sharing their ideas.
