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Digital surge looks suspicious…and will council fix potholes?

January 9, 2019 by Terry Murden Leave a Comment

Terry MurdenAs I See It: Terry Murden

_______________________________

It seems there has been a huge transformation in the digital skills of young people if a report published today is to be believed. I have to say I’m more than a bit sceptical.

The Digital Disruption Index published by Deloitte claims that the digital capabilities of those new to the workforce have improved in the last six months. In fact, so much so that 18% of school leavers and graduates now have the right skills and experience against just 12% six months earlier. 

Furthermore, 25% of the 158 firms who responded said their current workforce has sufficient knowledge and expertise to execute their organisation’s digital strategy, a whopping rise from just 16% in the spring.

Now call me cynical, but this sort of turbo-charged improvement looks like the digital equivalent of a get-rich-quick scheme. It compares the skills of young people in September and October last year against their level of capability in February and March. What have they been learning in just 26 weeks?

In fact, given that the period extends over the summer months of June to August when not much learning takes place, it means they’ve made a remarkable advance in little more than 12 weeks of real study time.

Let’s see what the next Index comes up with, and whether these responses truly reflect what is going on in the digital economy.

Edinburgh’s unwanted pothole prize

Our report on Edinburgh’s dubious new honour – being crowned the pot-hole capital of the UK – was the top read story on Tuesday, indicating a strength of feeling on an issue that angers a lot of motorists and cyclists.

It prompted one reader to ask why some of the £1.3 billion City Deal money isn’t being directed into fixing the problem.

It’s a good point, but not one that the custodians of the City Deal cash are likely to take on board, although “infrastructure” was included on the shopping list.

Road improvements are part of the deal, though a big chunk of the money –  £140m – is being spent on a new flyover to unblock the Sheriffhall bottleneck and other unspecified projects across the western suburbs.

Surely there is a case for siphoning off some of this for a few lorry loads of tarmac to repair neglected roads that are shaming the city?

Those charged with maintaining and marketing Edinburgh are in danger of believing their own heritage publicity about the city’s obvious attractions – while the rest of us see a city in decline. A case of the Emperor’s New Clothes.

Crumbling roads and pavements are not the only issue. The graffiti is getting worse, the bins are still overflowing and the general air of neglect is getting noticed by visitors.

The council, constantly pleading poverty, found enough money to sprinkle the city with 20mph signs that every motorist ignores. It would have been better spent fixing a few holes.

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Filed Under: As I See It, Cover Story, Terry Murden, Working Life Tagged With: digital skills, Edinburgh City Deal, potholes, potholes in Edinburgh

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