In the ever-changing landscape of education and nonprofit sectors, one thing is clear: technology is not just for tech companies anymore. Today, both nonprofits and K–12 schools are embracing technology as a core part of their operations, communication, and mission delivery. But are these sectors equipped with the tech skills needed to harness the full potential of digital tools?

Recent data from Pluralsight, a leading platform for tech skill development, provides valuable insights into the current state of technology skills within these sectors. In this post, we’ll break down key takeaways from Pluralsight’s research and explore the challenges, opportunities, and areas for growth for nonprofits and K–12 schools as they continue their tech transformation journeys.

The Growing Importance of Technology in Nonprofits and Education

Technology is no longer a luxury in these sectors; it has become a critical enabler of change, innovation, and efficiency. Nonprofits rely on tech for everything from donor management to advocacy, while schools are increasingly incorporating digital learning tools and online platforms to enhance education. However, many organizations in these sectors still struggle to keep up with the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Here’s where Pluralsight’s data comes into play. As an industry leader in offering tech training, Pluralsight collects data from its millions of users, including employees in education and nonprofit sectors, to track trends in tech skill gaps, training needs, and adoption rates. The results of this data can be eye-opening for anyone interested in understanding how nonprofits and schools are preparing—or failing to prepare—for the future of tech.

Key Insights from Pluralsight’s Data on Nonprofits

1. Tech Skill Gaps Are Widening in Nonprofits

The nonprofit sector has long been underfunded in terms of technology investment, and this is reflected in the skills gap that many nonprofit organizations are facing today. According to Pluralsight, nonprofit workers report a significant gap in advanced tech skills, particularly in areas such as data analytics, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. These skills are vital for nonprofits that want to stay competitive and continue delivering impactful services.

Pluralsight Data Points:

• 47% of nonprofit workers have limited access to advanced technology training compared to their counterparts in the corporate world.
• Only 23% of nonprofits reported having a robust cybersecurity strategy, which is concerning given the increasing risks of data breaches and cyberattacks.
• Data science and analytics skills are in high demand, but only 12% of nonprofit professionals have received formal training in these areas.

The Gap’s Impact: Without adequate training, nonprofit organizations may struggle to maximize their use of tech tools, leading to inefficiencies, lost opportunities, and a failure to meet organizational goals. It’s crucial for nonprofits to address these skill gaps and equip their teams with the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world.

2. Nonprofits Are Struggling with Digital Transformation

Digital transformation is a buzzword in the nonprofit sector, but many organizations still have a long way to go in adopting and integrating new technologies into their operations. Pluralsight data shows that 45% of nonprofit professionals feel they lack the skills to take full advantage of the tools they already have, such as cloud-based software, collaboration platforms, and automation tools.

While nonprofits recognize the need for digital transformation, they often struggle to keep pace with the rapid development of new tools and the complex skills required to use them effectively. This gap in digital literacy leads to organizations falling behind on modernizing their infrastructure, adopting efficient workflows, and providing a seamless experience for their supporters and beneficiaries.

Key Insights from Pluralsight’s Data on K–12 Schools

1. Tech Integration in K–12 Education is Accelerating

Pluralsight’s data shows that K–12 schools are making great strides in integrating technology into the classroom, driven largely by the need to provide remote learning solutions and digital resources. However, while students have access to a wealth of online learning tools, the educators themselves are facing significant challenges when it comes to tech fluency.

Pluralsight Data Points:

• 60% of K–12 teachers report using digital tools regularly in their teaching, but only 30% of teachers feel adequately trained to integrate these tools effectively into their lessons.
• Over 50% of schools have adopted learning management systems (LMS) to streamline student engagement, but fewer than 40% of educators are comfortable using these systems to their full potential.
• Cybersecurity education is becoming a priority, with 70% of K–12 educators believing that teaching digital safety is as important as traditional subjects.

The Digital Divide: This highlights a significant digital divide in schools where students may have access to advanced learning tools, but educators are left to navigate these resources without adequate support or training. Closing this gap is essential for ensuring that digital tools are used to their full potential to enhance student learning outcomes.

2. Tech Skills for Teachers Are in High Demand

As schools move toward more technology-driven curricula, there is an increasing need for educators to acquire the right tech skills. Pluralsight’s data reveals that teaching staff often feel ill-equipped to effectively incorporate tech into their lessons or manage the technology infrastructure in schools.

Pluralsight Data Points:

• 42% of K–12 educators indicate that they do not have access to adequate professional development opportunities for learning how to use edtech tools in their classrooms.
• Teachers report a lack of training in areas such as coding, data literacy, and virtual classroom management, all of which are becoming essential in modern education.

The Importance of Digital Literacy: As technology becomes an integral part of the classroom, it’s no longer enough for students to learn basic digital skills. Teachers themselves must be equipped with the skills to teach digital literacy effectively and manage the tech-driven classroom.

The Opportunities: How Nonprofits and Schools Can Close the Tech Skills Gap

Both nonprofits and K–12 schools are facing similar challenges when it comes to building a tech-savvy workforce. Fortunately, Pluralsight’s data also points to several key opportunities for growth and improvement.

1. Prioritize Training and Professional Development

For both sectors, professional development is the key to closing the tech skills gap. Whether it’s cybersecurity training, learning to use cloud-based tools, or understanding the basics of data analytics, investing in ongoing training programs is essential.

• Nonprofits can partner with tech companies and educational institutions to provide affordable training opportunities for their staff. Pluralsight offers a range of skill assessments and certifications that can help guide nonprofits in identifying skill gaps and addressing them effectively.
• K–12 schools should consider offering PD days focused on tech literacy for teachers, or partnering with edtech companies to deliver training directly to educators.

2. Foster Partnerships with EdTech Providers

For K–12 schools, partnerships with edtech providers can be a game-changer. Many edtech companies offer free or discounted tools for educators, as well as training resources that can help teachers get up to speed on the tools they are using in the classroom. Schools should leverage these partnerships to improve their tech adoption and teacher readiness.

3. Cultivate a Culture of Digital Literacy

For both nonprofits and schools, cultivating a culture of digital literacy is vital. Organizations can:

• Encourage staff to experiment with new tools and technologies.
• Host internal workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions where tech-savvy employees can teach others.
• Invest in user-friendly platforms that are intuitive and require less technical expertise to use.

The State of Tech Skills in Nonprofits

1. Tech Adoption is Lagging, but Improving

Nonprofit organizations, by their very nature, are often working with limited budgets and resources. As a result, adopting new technology can sometimes take a backseat to mission-driven work. However, the Pluralsight data reveals that nonprofits are increasingly realizing the importance of technology in achieving their goals, whether it’s to streamline operations, engage with donors, or improve service delivery.

A significant portion of nonprofits still struggles to integrate new technologies into their workflows. Pluralsight’s data shows that many nonprofit professionals lack advanced technical skills, with many working with outdated systems or relying heavily on legacy platforms that may no longer meet their needs.

Key Insights:

• Nonprofits are behind other sectors in terms of cloud adoption and data management.
• The tech skill gap is most evident in areas like data analysis, cybersecurity, and cloud computing.
• Automation and AI are underutilized in nonprofits, despite their potential to increase efficiency and lower costs.

2. Cybersecurity: A Growing Concern

As nonprofits collect more sensitive data about donors, beneficiaries, and employees, cybersecurity becomes a pressing issue. According to Pluralsight’s findings, many nonprofit organizations still lack dedicated cybersecurity teams or personnel with the specialized skills to safeguard sensitive information.

This creates a gap in ensuring proper data protection and could leave organizations vulnerable to cyberattacks, data breaches, or phishing scams, which can damage an organization’s reputation and public trust. Addressing these gaps should be a priority for nonprofits looking to embrace digital tools and expand their reach.

3. Upskilling and Training: A Key Focus Area

In response to these challenges, nonprofits are increasingly focused on employee training and skill development. According to Pluralsight’s data, many nonprofit organizations are investing in online learning platforms and professional development programs to upskill their staff. These programs focus on areas such as cloud technologies, project management software, and data management.

By investing in the right training programs, nonprofits can empower their teams to adopt modern tools and strategies, enabling them to deliver more effective programs and services to the communities they serve.

The State of Tech Skills in K–12 Schools

1. Growing Importance of Digital Learning Tools

In K–12 education, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift toward digital learning environments. Many schools were forced to quickly implement remote learning platforms, virtual classrooms, and online resources. While this shift has been largely successful in many districts, Pluralsight’s data indicates that the technology skill gap remains a significant challenge.

Despite the widespread use of digital platforms like Google Classroom, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams, teachers and administrators often lack the advanced technical skills needed to maximize the effectiveness of these tools. Many educators report feeling underprepared when it comes to integrating technology into their teaching practices and engaging with students in a fully digital environment.

Key Insights:

• Teachers often have basic tech skills but struggle with more complex tools like data analysis software or learning management systems (LMS).
• Technology in the classroom is often inconsistent—some districts are well-equipped with the latest devices and platforms, while others face significant gaps in access and infrastructure.
• Digital equity remains a concern, particularly for underserved or low-income school districts, where students may not have access to the necessary devices or high-speed internet.

2. Emphasis on STEM Education

In K–12 schools, there’s a growing push toward improving STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. Pluralsight’s data highlights that while many school districts are investing in STEM programs and tools, there is still a significant gap in teacher readiness to deliver high-quality STEM education.

Teachers often lack training in key areas like coding, data science, and robotics, which are essential skills for preparing students for the future workforce. This skills gap is particularly noticeable in subjects like computer science, where the demand for skilled professionals is outpacing the supply of qualified educators.

3. Professional Development for Educators

To close this gap, many school districts are prioritizing professional development for educators, particularly in the areas of digital literacy and technology integration. However, many teachers report that they don’t have the time or resources to participate in these training programs.

According to Pluralsight, online learning platforms and self-paced training have emerged as valuable tools for teachers looking to enhance their tech skills. These platforms offer teachers the flexibility to improve their knowledge without taking time away from their classrooms, helping them better integrate digital tools into their teaching.

Bridging the Tech Skills Gap: Solutions for Nonprofits and K–12 Schools

1. Investing in Professional Development

The key to bridging the tech skills gap in both nonprofits and K–12 schools is investing in ongoing professional development. Whether it’s training staff in data security, giving teachers the tools to integrate digital learning, or teaching nonprofit professionals how to leverage cloud computing and automation, continuous upskilling is critical.

Pluralsight’s data emphasizes the growing importance of online learning platforms to address these gaps. By providing access to training resources in areas like cybersecurity, data analytics, and cloud technologies, both sectors can improve efficiency, innovation, and security.

2. Building Digital Equity

Another critical area for both nonprofits and K–12 schools is addressing digital equity. Nonprofits working with underserved communities must ensure that their programs are accessible to all, including those with limited access to technology. Similarly, in K–12 schools, providing students with equitable access to devices, high-speed internet, and digital learning tools is essential to ensuring that no child is left behind in the digital age.

3. Collaboration with Tech Partners

Nonprofits and schools can also benefit from collaborating with technology partners to implement tailored solutions. For example, cloud service providers like Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS) offer discounted or free access to their platforms for educational and nonprofit organizations. These partnerships can help bridge the gap in tech infrastructure while providing access to cutting-edge tools and platforms.

4. Encouraging a Tech-Savvy Culture

Lastly, fostering a tech-savvy culture is essential for both nonprofits and schools. Leaders in these organizations should promote a mindset that embraces digital transformation, encourages experimentation with new tools, and makes technology an integral part of their operations and educational practices.