CODE – Digital skills

Credits: CODE

Reading time: 2min

Digital skills are not only required in the ICT sector, but increasingly across all sectors. Knowledge of cybersecurity, data analytics and machine learning for example are needed in fields as diverse as banking and manufacturing, farming and health. A computer-literate workforce is also vital to maintain Europe’s global competitiveness in a fast-changing world.

Already today 90% of jobs require basic knowledge of digital skills and, with the fast development of new technologies, more and more digital experts are needed. There are at least 350,000 open vacancies for ICT specialists in Europe right now.

The European Commission is promoting various initiatives aimed at increasing training in digital skills for the workforce and for consumers; modernising education across the EU; harnessing digital technologies for learning and for the recognition and validation of skills; and anticipating and analysing skills needs.

A strong digital economy is vital for innovation, growth, jobs and European competitiveness. The spread of digital is having a massive impact on the labour market and the type of skills needed in the economy and society.

  • It is changing the structure of employment, leading to the automation of “routine” tasks and to the creation of new and different types of jobs.
  • It is leading to the need for more skilled ICT professionals in all sectors of the economy. It is estimated that there will be 500,000 unfilled vacancies for ICT professionals by 2020.
  • It is leading to the need for digital skills for nearly all jobs where ICTcomplements existing tasks. Careers such as engineering, accountancy, nursing, medicine, art, architecture, and many more – require increasing levels of digital skills.
  • It changes the way we learn by fostering online communities, by enabling personalised learning experiences, by supporting the development of soft skills such as problem solving, collaboration and creativity, and by making learning fun.
  • It is leading to the need for every citizen to have at least basic digital skills in order to live, work, learn and participate in the modern society.

The full potential for improving education through ICT in Europe remains yet to be discovered and this is why the European Commission is developing policy and supporting research to make learners fit for 21st century life and work.

The specific objectiveofproject#CODE/Competence Opportunities for Digital Employment/is to develop and implement a training program for specialized digital competences, such as digital design, graphics, 3D animation, game design for these young people,that otherwise cannot afford to obtain hi-tech knowledge due to restrictions coming from their financial situation.For this purpose, the Human ResourcesDevelopment Agency, that is the leading project partner, will purchase and equip an office for training of specific digital competencies such as graphic design, graphics, 3D animation and other computer competences. A platform for motivational and psychological help will also be created. The project`s main result is a developed and piloted training program to boost target groups` access to acquiring specialized competences for employability and self – esteem as well as providing  a new perspective to learning interactions and problem solving.

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