Barnsley College has always taken digital development seriously, but in recent years, the College began to notice a shift. “Digital skills” alone no longer covered what staff and students needed to thrive. The pace of change, particularly around artificial intelligence, meant the College wanted a more ambitious, future‑proof approach.
At the same time, leaders could see the national picture clearly. Digital skills are now essential in every part of the UK workforce, yet millions of people still lack the confidence to use them effectively.
Independent analysis from the Lloyds Bank UK Consumer Digital Index shows that 55% of working‑age adults lack one or more of the 20 Essential Digital Skills for Work. This is one of the most comprehensive annual measures of digital capability in the UK. As Holly Chate, Chief Operating Officer at FutureDotNow, put it, “We are absolutely in a race to keep up. Tech is accelerating at an unprecedented pace.”
For Barnsley College, the decision to work with FutureDotNow and to sign the Workforce Digital Skills Charter was a natural next step.
Holly Chate, Chief Operating Officer, FutureDotNowWe are absolutely in a race to keep up. Tech is accelerating at an unprecedented pace.
A clear purpose: skills that prepare people for the future
Barnsley College’s digital ambitions are built around a simple question: what do staff and students need to succeed in the workplaces of tomorrow?
The answer was clear. They needed digital confidence, the ability to work productively with technology, and an understanding of how AI is reshaping every industry. This led to a refreshed digital strategy and a broader commitment that includes both digital and AI skills.
David Akeroyd, Principal and Chief Executive, explained the shift: “We asked ourselves whether digital skills were really enough. One of our key strategic priorities now is to equip staff and students with digital and AI skills for their future.”
To support this work, the College has invested in a Director of AI Integration, expanded staff development programmes and strengthened its community of Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts – the largest of any institution worldwide. This helps ensure that confidence with digital tools becomes the norm across the organisation.
For Barnsley College, this is not about machines replacing people. David describes the aim clearly: “AI is not something to fear. It’s about releasing our humans to be human. Let’s take away the administrative tasks so staff can focus on people.”
More broadly, Barnsley College is the UK’s first government-backed Tech Town, where AI is being rolled out across public services, schools, healthcare and local businesses, alongside free digital skills training for residents to boost jobs and economic growth.
Why FutureDotNow?
Before joining the coalition, Barnsley set out to understand the needs of its own staff. While many colleagues were already confident digital users, others were less sure of their skills or unsure where to begin. This mirrors a wider national trend. As Holly Chate notes, “The challenge is everywhere. One in four people working in tech don’t have all the basic digital skills for work.”
FutureDotNow provides structured support for organisations developing digital capability, including exclusive resources, toolkits and guides, cross‑sector collaboration networks and access to expert guidance. All based on the government-backed Essential Digital Skills Framework, which reflects the range of skills people need to safely benefit from, participate in and contribute to the digital world.
The Framework has become particularly valuable. It gives the College a simple structure for identifying gaps and planning targeted support. It also aligns well with the digital training and Gateway Qualifications programmes already offered to staff and learners.
David Akeroyd, Principal and Chief Executive, Barnsley CollegeWe asked ourselves whether digital skills were really enough. One of our key strategic priorities now is to equip staff and students with digital and AI skills for their future.
Practical action: developing digital confidence
Barnsley College now offers all staff free access to its full range of digital and AI courses, from basic foundational skills to cybersecurity and AI awareness. Digital specialists who teach on student programmes also support staff, creating consistent, high‑quality training.
This approach has been welcomed across the organisation. Staff appreciate the flexible delivery, the relevance to their roles and the focus on building real confidence, not just technical competence.
The College is also using FutureDotNow’s tools to continue assessing staff needs. Understanding the workforce more clearly helps Barnsley direct its efforts where they will have the biggest impact and gives leaders evidence to support ongoing investment.
FutureDotNow’s partnership with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) found that improving essential digital skills could unlock £23 billion in annual productivity gains for UK employers. This kind of evidence helps organisations like Barnsley College build strong business cases for staff development.
Studies like this and FutureDotNow’s The Ripple Effect, which explores how essential digital skills create social value and improve lives, underline the real value that comes from improving the digital skills of all staff, not just teaching staff or learners. In fact, with Association of Colleges (AoC) figures showing that only 40% of the FE college workforce are in teaching roles (source: AoC Key Facts 2025-2026), arguably the biggest benefits for Colleges and society will be realised through staff in non-teaching roles.
Why signing the Workforce Digital Skills Charter matters
Signing the Workforce Digital Skills Charter shows a clear commitment to developing a digitally confident workforce. For Barnsley, it provides a useful framework for internal planning and places the College within a national movement working towards shared goals.
Becoming a FutureDotNow member gives providers access to:
- Practical guidance on workforce assessment
- An economic calculator to demonstrate return on investment
- A directory of trusted training resources
- Cross‑sector projects, events and communities of practice
These resources make it easier for providers to plan next steps, no matter where they are starting from.
A message to the FE sector
Barnsley College believes the FE sector plays a vital role in preparing the workforce of the future. Supporting learners means supporting staff, and digital confidence is now fundamental to both.
David Akeroyd summed it up simply: “Why are you doing it? What’s your purpose? That has to be your starting point.”
For Barnsley, the purpose is clear: to ensure every staff member and learner has the digital and AI skills they need to succeed. Working with FutureDotNow is helping the College make that ambition real, and it encourages others across the sector to join the movement.
Signing the Digital Skills Charter takes minutes. The benefits last far longer.