Does the UK need tech giants, or do we just need to be good at tech?
I read Monday’s news about US chip specialist Nvidia’s bid to acquire UK-based chip designer ARM Holdings with interest, particularly the media speculation about whether the takeover will be good or bad for the UK.
In his analysis of the announcement, Rory Cellan-Jones, the BBC’s technology correspondent, commented that leading figures in the UK tech industry are trying to stop the takeover, saying it will lead to major job losses at ARM’s headquarters in Cambridge and that decision-making will transfer to the California. They fear the consequences of the UK “losing” a tech giant. In fact, ARM co-founder, Hermann Hauser, went a step further in his BBC Radio 4 interview, saying he thought it would be “an absolute disaster for Cambridge, the UK and Europe.”
This reminded me of a conversation I had recently about whether the UK needs technology giants, or whether we just need to be good at tech.
The UK is globally renowned for its technology and innovation thanks to pioneers like Sir Tim Berners-Lee and the growth of major tech businesses like ARM and its peers in Cambridge - or “Silicon Fen” as it’s known. But as well as home-grown tech giants, every UK business is going to need people with technology expertise and digital skills.
That’s why I believe we want – and need – both UK tech giants AND to be good at tech. Here’s how to make it happen:
Celebrate tech “rock stars”
I remember the stat from a survey conducted a few years ago that over half of the 16-year-olds questioned said they didn’t want a career, they just wanted to be famous. Technology is more creative and fulfilling than reality TV, but a lot of young people think tech is “boring”. That’s why we need to celebrate the UK’s “rock star” technology roles and industries, like the gaming industry. Most teenagers game, whether on their phone, a console or a laptop - and with the UK gaming industry set to be worth ￡10 billion by 2023 there’s a huge opportunity for young people to develop a tech career in something they’re already passionate about.
Invest in “tech skills for all”
In our recent #TechVision2020 report we explore the growth of artificial intelligence. To achieve its true potential to fuel business growth, AI needs to be used as a collaboration tool with your people. The same is true of other technologies, including cloud services. It’s not enough to invest in the right technology, your people need the right skills too. Invest in tech and digital skills for everyone in your organisation, not just the IT department or digital team.
Diversify
Creating an inclusive internal culture will enable you to attract – and retain – the best talent, but first businesses have to help grow the tech talent pool. Based on insight around why girls are less likely to choose STEM careers, our Girls in Tech programme encourages girls to consider technology careers and helps teachers and parents understand the opportunities available. And technology itself can support greater diversity, for example, cloud-based remote and flexible working strategies could be extended beyond Covid-19 so that people with disabilities or those with caring responsibilities can enter the workforce.
Train all young people in technology
Our Skills to Succeed initiative identified that while there are more than 760,000 young people over 16 out of work and not in education, 76 per cent of organisations are facing a shortage of digital skills in their workforce. That’s where partnerships with organisations like Movement to Work, The Prince’s Trust and Tech Teens come in. They’re experts at engaging young people in technology, and work with businesses to deliver structured work placements. Through Movement to Work, which we co-founded in 2013, we’ve delivered over 965 work placements so far. Several participants have gone on to join our Technology Degree apprenticeship scheme - something I’d like to see grow.
I can’t say whether or not the Nvidia/ARM takeover will go ahead, but I know the UK will benefit in the long-term from continuing to have technology giants AND growing the pool of people who are good at tech.