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 756 000 unfilled vacancies for ICT professionals by 2020.
It is leading to the need for digital skills for nearly all jobs where ICT complements 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.
A New Skills Agenda for Europe
On 10 June 2016 the European Commission published a new Skills Agenda for Europe, working together to strengthen human capital, employability and competitiveness. It presents a number of actions and initiatives with the ambition to tackle the digital skills deficit in Europe.
The new agenda sets out to improve the quality and relevance of skills formation, to make skills and qualifications more visible and comparable and advancing skills intelligence, documentation and informed career choices. Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition is the new flag ship initiative among a number of other initiatives that were presented.
Digitising European Industry
On 18 April 2016 the European Commission published a Communication on Digitising European Industry, which introduced a set of coherent policy measures as part of a Digital Single Market (DSM) technologies and public services modernisation package. A part of the Communication is dedicated on digital skills. In particular, it calls for a human capital ready for the digital transformation with the necessary skills.
The digital transformation is structurally changing the labour market and the nature of work. There are concerns that these changes may affect employment conditions, levels and income distribution. Alongside investment in technology, we need investment in skills and knowledge, to be ready for the future. The need for new multidisciplinary digital skills is exploding.
Together with all stakeholders, such as Member States, industry, social partners and education and training providers, the Commission will:
Address these challenges as part of a comprehensive dialogue on the social aspects of digitisation that engages all stakeholders involved in all aspects of work, education and training.
Reinforce the role of industry and research organisations in the Grand Coalition and stimulate further commitment from industry to take action.
Improve the understanding of skills requirements for new technologies, including within H2020, and promote the development of digital skills and stimulate partnerships for skills within the framework of the New Skills Agenda for Europe.
Engage Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH) in skills for mid-caps and SME.
Our plan to help European industry, researchers and public authorities to make the best of the digital transformation has been published. Lowri Evans and Roberto Viola share some thoughts on what this could mean for Europe's future.
When you’ve decided to become an entrepreneur there’s nothing that can stop you. Not even summer holidays. Because for you this time away from studies or the daily routine is an opportunity to improve your knowledge and your CV, meet people, get inspired, and get ready for the hard work which lies ahead in your startup.
Digital skills, or eSkills, are of great importance in order to function in present and future society. The increasing interest in ICT in our society and economy is forcing us to reconsider how we think and use our abilities. Whether we are civilian, consumer, patient, employee, entrepreneur, official, caretaker: in short, it includes everyone and in all sectors.
Two years ago we launched the Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs to address the digital skills deficit and create more jobs in Europe. Today we need to build on our experiences and step up our efforts. Here is how.
