Graduates are key to steering future tech development in social care
A sector that was once hailed for providing state-of-the-art care has now fallen victim to being cast aside by the government. Overlooked and under appreciated, social care is in dire need of some support which could come in the form of new technology. However, with tight budgets and a lack of older, experienced developers, questions remain on who will be able to provide such upgrades.
Ben Best, development team leader at OLM Systems, shares his views that the key to helping create a bright future for social care lies with trusting the younger generation.
In today’s fast-paced digital world, technology is more than just an enabler; it’s a necessity, especially in the social care sector. Advances in technology help develop current processes and improve services, and modern digital case management systems for instance have proven to help transform services across the sector.
Therefore, the need for experienced developers is greater than ever, but this often means overlooking young talent—a decision that has far-reaching consequences.
Traditionally, tech companies, including those in social care, opt for experienced developers who can contribute immediately. This practice makes sense economically and operationally, yet it creates a paradox. Graduates and entry-level developers find it increasingly difficult to break into the industry, not just due to a lack of experience but also because of the unique skill sets required to navigate both tech development and the complexities of the social care environment. For many graduates with a passion for code, gaining their first job is a challenge as most companies demand at least 2 or 3 years’ experience. Consequently, talented young minds are often deterred from even applying, exacerbating the industry’s challenges further.
Taking steps to strike a balance
Tackling these challenges is crucial as failing to engage young talent can create long-term problems for the social care tech industry. With a workforce leaning towards developers who have been around for decades, the risk of losing institutional knowledge becomes a looming threat. Diversity, a critical element for innovation and growth, also suffers. The industry must strike a balance to sustain progress, meet increasing demands, and keep up with technological advances.
Having a homogeneous group of experienced developers can hamper growth and innovation. While their years of experience are invaluable, this workforce composition has limitations. It lacks the fresh perspectives that younger developers bring to problem-solving and tech development, limiting the scope and approach towards improving social care technologies.
Graduates are crucial to building the talent pipeline and steering future tech development in social care, and collectively, the industry must recognise their value and empower them to gain a foothold in the social care environment.
Tech companies must invest in the future
OLM for instance is taking a lead on this and hope that other organisations may adopt our approach, taking the challenges as an opportunity to be part of the solution. Launched in 2022, our Graduate Academy aims to bridge this gaping talent chasm. It not only invites fresh talent into our development teams but also equips graduates with the specialised knowledge needed for social care tech. With two successful intakes, OLM has created a multidisciplinary team specialising in back-end (Java) and front-end (JavaScript) technologies; working on case management solutions that the social care workforce uses on a daily basis.
Learning is a journey, there’s no quick-fire route to gain the skills and experience which is why we’ve instituted a comprehensive two-year program. The first 16 weeks are an intensive learning period designed to bring the recruits to a level where they can start contributing to real-world projects. Post-training, they are placed on projects that align with the skills they’ve gained, ensuring a smoother transition and immediate application of their newly acquired knowledge.
OLM’s Graduate Academy is more than just an initiative; it’s a testament to what can be achieved when a company decides to invest in people. By nurturing fresh talent, we not only solve the immediate skills gap but also address a broader spectrum of challenges facing the social care tech industry. The graduates who come through our academy are not just proficient in technology; they understand the unique challenges of social care, making them invaluable assets to the industry’s future.
Collectively steering social care tech development
With a balanced approach towards experience and new talent, tech companies can create a harmonious, productive, and innovative working environments — ensuring that the social care tech industry is not just sustained but propelled into a new era of excellence and innovation.
Images: OLM Systems and RUT MIIT
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