The government should invest in developing skills to meet the need for jobs in the blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and cryptocurrency sectors, according to a unanimous call from members of the U.K. Parliament.
The government should make sure that digital skills are taught from the very beginning of education and even in the workplace, according to member of parliament Lisa Cameron, who chaired a debate on the matter on Tuesday.
“Although the U.K. is well placed to harness the opportunities presented by the growth of the digital economy, considerable preparation and investment in education, training and skills will be needed to make the most of these opportunities and to ensure that the U.K. has the necessary talent pipeline to help it realise its goal of becoming a tech superpower,” Cameron stated in a recent press release.
As stated by the government, the goal of the United Kingdom is to become a centre for cryptocurrency. It has passed laws recognising cryptocurrencies as a regulated activity thus far, and additional laws pertaining to stablecoins and other crypto activities are in the works.
Cameron, though, feels that more work needs to be done. When talking to businesses in the digital space, one problem that has come up is that they “can’t find the talent that they need,” she added.
Additionally, Cameron called for more collaborations with blockchain businesses like Tether, which this year launched an education initiative, Circle, the stablecoin issuer, which partnered with academic institutions, and Ripple, which in 2018 launched a blockchain research initiative for universities.
“We are aware that there is a need to close the digital skills gap. The estimated annual cost of that gap to the British economy is £63 billion ($79 billion) “The Minister for Skills in the United Kingdom, Luke Hall, responded.