In the increasing number of areas that rely heavily on computing technology, the skill demands have changed or are in many instances changing dramatically. Types of modeling have become readily possible, or are becoming possible, that were difficult or impossible a decade ago. New types of data, in some instances in unprecedented quantities, present themselves for analysis.
This is in particular true for many types of statistical work, for spatial analysis, and for collection and analysis of web-based data. The same issues arise for ”data mining” and machine learning, if these are distinguished from statistics. Spatial analysis intrudes into a wide range of other areas – epidemiological modelling, hydrology, weather, indeed anything where spatial variation is relevant.
Unless there is good access to retraining, the work of many staff who undertake tasks that require mathematical science competency will be seriously hobbled. This issue arises throughout government, research establishments, and business and industry. To what extent do organisations regularly review their skill demands and training requirements, and make appropriate provision?