Is the data skills gap closing?
Our 2023 Data Report highlighted a critical challenge in business transformation and growth: the persistent data skills gap, acknowledged by an overwhelming 90% of employees. Our recent surveys of HR leaders and UK employees support this ongoing data struggle.
Insights for CDO's
The AWS CDO Agenda 2024 report cites that “difficulty in changing organisational behaviour and attitudes” was the most frequently mentioned challenge for CDOs (70%). It was followed by the “absence of data-driven culture or data-driven decision-making” (59%) and “lack of data literacy or understanding” (50%).
Forrester’s Your Data Culture Is In Crisis report highlighted some of the struggles organisations have when trying to implement data culture:
of respondents didn’t have or were unsure if they had a data literacy lead.
indicated employees didn’t know where to find information at work
indicated employees often mistrust the data available to them for decision-making
said employees didn’t know where to go to ask questions about information at work.
Our survey of HR decision-makers and employees demonstrates a data accessibility issue across organisations, highlighting a significant portion of the workforce is grappling with data challenges. Among HR leaders, 21% lack the necessary data to make data-informed decisions, 43% have somewhat available data, and only 36% enjoy full data access. Employees face a more concerning reality, with four in ten employees (39%) struggling with data access daily, hindering their ability to perform their jobs effectively; 43% of employees have somewhat available data, and only 18% have complete access. This highlights a clear disparity in data accessibility between leadership and the workforce. Without the appropriate data leadership and data-driven culture, this disparity will be a significant obstacle within organisations.
While strides have been made in data accessibility since our 2023 report, gaps remain. Strategic investments in developing both human and technical data skills are crucial, technology alone is not the answer. Cultivating a truly data-driven culture requires data-savvy leaders who champion its value and inspire a workforce to embrace its power. Empowering employees with data literacy equips them to make informed decisions, drive innovation, and navigate the data landscape with confidence. Leadership committed to data-driven decision-making will foster a culture of trust and transparency, where data becomes the bedrock for strategic growth. It's through this collaborative effort, human and technology in tandem, that organisations can truly unlock the transformative power of data and secure a competitive edge in the data-driven future.
Dan Kellet
Chief Data Officer, Capital One
Dan Kellett, the Chief Data Officer at Capital One UK and recognised in the DataIQ 100 (2023), is a leader in transforming data into actionable insights. With over two decades of experience, he leads a team skilled in distributed computing and data analytics, driving significant business and consumer benefits. At Capital One, Dan champions data-driven solutions, emphasising data ethics and AI responsibility, and has played a crucial role in the FCA / Bank of England AI Public/Private Forum. His leadership extends across multiple roles, significantly reducing costs and increasing analysis speed with innovative data strategies. Dan actively seeks collaboration with other data professionals to explore advancements in the field further.