AI and robotics among top future scaleup skill needs

Robotics, artificial intelligence and big data skills are among the top future skills requirements for UK scaleup companies, according to research from the Scaleup Institute.

According to the research, four in ten scaleups plan to use artificial intelligence in future, with one in three using big data and one in four looking to increase their use of robotics.

But the report also highlighted skills as a key growth barrier for scaleups.

“Scaleups employ 3.2m people and are significant engines of future employment. Yet for six in ten finding the individuals with the appropriate skill set remains a key concern. Scaleups rank access to talent as the second greatest barrier to growth after access to markets,” the report claimed.

Scaleups also offer a variety of opportunities to the emerging workforce. Six in ten offer apprenticeships and or work experience, while four in ten employ school leavers. Eight in ten employ graduates while half employ postgraduate or PhD students.

The report also surveyed businesses on their needs to meet their leadership requirements, with scaleup support bodies and institutions playing a vital role. 46 per cent value access to peer networks, with 46 per cent also valuing mentoring, and 56 per cent seeing the value of a non-executive director.

Two Zero has been specifically designed to support the needs of scaleup business owners and manager in Lancashire with programmes and insights to help improve their resilience and help create a structure to accelerate growth.

Scaleup support programmes available through Two Zero often feature a combination of focused peer learning, quality coaching and mentoring to better understand their market, their business and growth strategy. You can find out about the latest Two Zero programmes here.