Key insights from Adzuna's data.

• Demand for data and tech skills continues to rise sharply across UK job postings
• Employers are struggling to fill roles due to persistent digital skills gaps
• Entry-level pathways into data careers remain limited without targeted training
• Apprenticeships are seeing rapid growth, with Level 2 up 39% and Level 3 up 230% year-on-year
• Businesses investing in skills development are better positioned to stay competitive

What does Adzuna’s data tell us about demand for data skills?

Adzuna’s job market data highlights a clear and growing demand for data and technology skills across the UK.

Employers are increasingly prioritising candidates who can work with data, interpret insights, and support digital transformation. These skills are no longer limited to specialist roles. They are becoming essential across industries, from finance to healthcare.

The data shows that digital capability is now a baseline expectation rather than a “nice to have”.

Why are employers struggling to fill data and tech roles?

Despite rising demand, many organisations are finding it difficult to recruit candidates with the right skills.

This is largely due to a mismatch between what employers need and the skills available in the workforce. Traditional education routes are not producing enough job-ready candidates with practical data skills.

As a result, vacancies remain open for longer, and businesses face increased competition for talent.

What do the job market trends reveal?

Adzuna’s data shows how demand for data and technology skills varies across the UK. Comparing different skill sets highlights both the scale and geographic spread of demand.

• Microsoft Excel demand is widespread across the UK, reinforcing its role as a foundational data skill
• AI and machine learning demand is more concentrated in specific regions, particularly major cities and tech hubs
• This suggests a broad need for baseline data skills, alongside more specialised demand for advanced capabilities

Excel as a skills requirement (FIGURE 1)

Source: Adzuna Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI )and machine learning (ML) (FIGURE 2)

Source: Adzuna Intelligence

Adzuna’s analysis of the top skills groups over the last six months reveals that data science, data management, data storage, and data visualisation all rank among the top 11 skills groups (excluding the broad “Information Technology” category). This shows that employers are actively searching for specific, applied data capabilities

Which data and tech roles are most in demand?

The data highlights where demand for core data skills such as Microsoft Excel is strongest. Looking at both employers and sectors gives a clearer picture of how widespread these requirements are.

• Microsoft Excel remains one of the most in-demand data skills across the UK job market
• Demand spans multiple industries, showing that data literacy is no longer limited to specialist roles
• A wide range of employers are actively hiring for roles requiring Excel, reinforcing its importance as a core workplace skill

Top employers hiring for Microsoft Excel roles

Source: Adzuna Intelligence

Top job sectors requesting Microsoft Excel skills

Source: Adzuna Intelligence

How can businesses close the data skills gap?

To remain competitive, organisations need to take a more proactive approach to skills development.

Relying solely on external hiring is no longer sustainable. Instead, businesses are investing in upskilling and reskilling their existing workforce.

This approach helps to fill immediate skills gaps while also building long-term capability.

Are apprenticeships the answer to the data skills shortage?

The demand growth for AI, machine learning, and data skills in apprenticeships is clearly visible in the charts below, highlighting how employers are increasingly investing in structured training pathways.

Demand for data-specific skills in Level 2 apprenticeships is also rising, with a 17% YoY increase in roles requiring data management skills and a 17% YoY increase for data visualisation skills.

These figures show how employers are increasingly leveraging apprenticeships to pipeline talent in complex, high-demand areas. Kaplan’s range of Data and Technology apprenticeships provides the accredited, industry-relevant pathways necessary for businesses to invest confidently in their future workforce.

Recent apprenticeship data further supports this shift, showing rapid growth in both advanced and entry-level data skills training. Here’s what the data shows:

1. Strong growth in adoption
   Level 2 apprenticeships have grown by 39% year-on-year, while Level 3 has surged by 230%. This reflects a significant shift in how employers are developing talent.
2. Faster time to productivity
   Apprentices gain practical, role-specific skills from day one. This allows them to contribute to business outcomes much earlier than traditional hires.
3. Access to a wider talent pool
   Apprenticeships open doors to candidates who may not follow traditional academic routes. This helps to diversify and expand the talent pipeline.
4. Training aligned to real business needs
   Programmes are designed around employer requirements, ensuring learners develop relevant, in-demand skills.
5. Improved retention and progression
   Employees trained through apprenticeships are often more engaged and more likely to stay. This helps reduce long-term recruitment costs.

With clear evidence of growth and impact, apprenticeships are becoming a critical strategy for closing the data skills gap.

Don’t fall behind on data and tech skills

The evidence is clear. Demand for data and technology skills is growing fast, and businesses that fail to act risk falling behind.

Apprenticeships offer a proven, scalable way to build the skills your organisation needs. They are backed by real growth data and increasing employer adoption.

Explore Kaplan’s data and technology apprenticeship programmes and start closing your skills gap today.