A major new survey of businesses across the county is taking place designed to assess the current level of digital skills across the workforce.

The Digital Skills Survey has been developed by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) and will be conducted across the south east.

Its aim is gauge the level of basic digital skills needed to search and apply for jobs, through to those required in the workplace, including higher-level, technical skills, and how best to increase digital skills across the area as a whole.

The results will be used by the recently created Digital Skills Partnership (DSP) for SELEP to set the priorities to support businesses by making sure the area’s colleges, universities and training providers are delivering the right courses and opportunities.

James Wilkinson, coordinator of the Digital Skills Partnership, said: “The survey will provide DSP members with the evidence it needs to help set the priorities for the area in order to ensure that everybody understands how digital skills will play an important role in the future growth of the area’s economy and in the employability of the people who live here.

“We’re extremely proud that SELEP is one of the first six areas identified by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to deliver a local DSP programme, bringing together business and education representatives, public sector organisations and the charitable sector with the aim of creating a world leading digital economy that ensures the need for these vital skills is met across the south east.”

To take part in the survey, click here.