By Ese Elakama

Over the past decade, I have watched technology shift from being a specialist function within organisations to becoming the underlying infrastructure of modern work. Today, technology is no longer confined to IT departments. It shapes how value is created, how services are delivered and how careers are sustained.

This shift has profound implications for the labour market. Across finance, healthcare, logistics, media and the charity sector, digital capability is now inseparable from productivity and long term competitiveness. Yet the systems designed to support people transitioning into technology roles have not evolved at the same pace as the economy itself.

The prevailing assumption is that reskilling is a linear process. Learn new tools, earn certifications and apply for roles. In practice, the transition into technology is rarely so straightforward. Throughout my work in consulting and education, I have consistently seen professionals encounter the same barriers. Fragmented learning pathways, limited exposure to real delivery environments and insufficient understanding of how technology creates value inside organisations.

This disconnect is increasingly visible in labour market outcomes. Employers continue to report persistent digital skills shortages, while many individuals who complete training struggle to convert education into employment. The issue is not a shortage of talent or ambition. It is a gap between learning and contribution. The market rewards applied capability over theoretical knowledge.

In response, I have observed a shift in what effective workforce transformation looks like. Successful technology transitions are increasingly supported by models that integrate education with live organisational contexts. Project based learning, applied internships and enterprise aligned capability building are no longer optional. They are becoming essential.

This insight shaped the evolution of DiiT Training UK Consulting, which I founded in 2016. Initially, the organisation focused on structured training pathways across cybersecurity, cloud, data and project delivery. Over time, a clear pattern emerged. Learners progressed most effectively when education was paired with exposure to real organisational challenges and delivery environments.

In 2025, this led to the launch of the Tech Practical Internship platform. The aim was simple. To enable individuals to develop technical confidence, contextual understanding and commercial awareness by working within live projects alongside their training. This approach reflects a broader market trend that places increasing value on experiential learning as a determinant of employability.

The implications of this shift extend beyond individual careers. When technology transitions are designed well, they act as economic enablers. They expand workforce participation, reduce underemployment and strengthen organisational capacity to adapt to automation, artificial intelligence and digital service delivery. In sectors such as charities and public institutions, digital capability now directly influences operational efficiency, stakeholder engagement and service reach.

Independent experts and founder led enterprises play a growing role in this ecosystem. Their agility allows them to respond quickly to emerging skills gaps, test new delivery models and align capability development with real market demand. I see this regularly through enterprise transformation work delivered across public, private and charitable organisations.

The question is no longer whether technology will reshape careers. That outcome is already clear. The more urgent challenge is whether the systems supporting this transition are fit for purpose.

Future proofing careers will depend less on isolated credentials and more on building capability within real delivery environments. For employers, educators and policymakers alike, the task ahead is to move beyond certification and design pathways that translate learning into contribution.

The future of work will belong to those who understand not only how technology functions, but how it functions in context.

Founder Profile and Industry Leadership

Ese Elakama is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of DiiT Training UK Consulting and PML UK. Her work spans technology education, enterprise consulting and strategic outdoor advertising, with a focus on applied digital capability and organisational transformation.

In 2025, she was nominated for multiple industry awards, including Entrepreneur of the Year at the Black Technology Awards UK, marking the second consecutive year she has been recognised for her leadership and contribution to the technology ecosystem.

Ese remains active in shaping industry through curated and impact led industry events. Her upcoming engagements include DigiX Summit Tech Ascension, an exclusive black tie event marking a new chapter for DiiT Training UK Consulting and PML UK.

She also operates as an independent IT expert, delivering technology strategy, systems transformation and enterprise delivery across the UK and international markets, including recent work with Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest animal welfare charity.