1st June 2026 Church News.
The conversation around the digital skills gap has been building for several years.
What we are seeing now is that it is no longer theoretical. It is showing up directly in live hiring processes across the UK market.
At Church International, we are seeing this first-hand with clients across multiple sectors. Roles are open, but finding the right people is becoming increasingly difficult.
There is no shortage of demand for digital talent.
Across the UK, most roles now require some level of digital capability, and organisations are increasingly dependent on these skills.
However, the gap between demand and available capability continues to widen.
We are seeing:
~ Roles staying open for longer
~ Shortlists becoming more focused
~ Expectations being adjusted during processes
One of the most noticeable shifts is how “good” is defined.
Increasingly, it is not just technical ability. It is a combination of:
~ Core digital capability
~ Adaptability and willingness to learn
~ Commercial awareness and context
This definition is often refined through conversation during the hiring process, rather than being fixed at the start.
A natural reaction is to try to hire through the gap.
In reality, that is becoming more difficult.
The organisations making progress are combining hiring with:
~ Upskilling existing teams
~ Flexibility on background and experience
~ Focus on potential rather than only proven expertise
This creates a more realistic and accessible talent pool.
In this environment, recruitment becomes more advisory and more interpretative.
It is not just matching CVs to job descriptions. It is about understanding capability through deeper conversations.
That includes:
~ Challenging expectations where they do not reflect the market
~ Helping define “good” through direct discussion with hiring managers
~ Providing insight on availability and skills trends
~ Supporting long-term capability planning
As AI-generated CVs and high-volume application channels increase, this interpretive role becomes even more important.
The digital skills gap is not a future issue. It is already shaping hiring today.
The organisations that adapt early, and work closely with their recruitment partners to define what they really need, are the ones achieving stronger outcomes.
From our perspective, success comes from clarity, collaboration, and ongoing conversation throughout the process.
