I International Conference on Digital Skills and IT Professionalism (ICODSIP)

 Back on 14 November 2024, I had the great pleasure to collaborate in this first international conference on digital skills and IT professionalism, held by the University of Alcalá de Henares, thanks to the invitation of a dear colleague, Professor Luis Fernández Sanz.

Together with peer panellists, Jude Cosgrove, from JRC, and Javier Avilés, from Adecco, we were discussing on training and certification of digital skills, as well as the Spanish Plan of Digital Competencies, how it alligns with the European Digital Decade and its contribution to bridge digital divide and bring labour and education together.

It was a great 60-minute panel with various perspectives on digital skills: for training, for recruiting, for not leaving anybody behind in this digital era; but with one major goal: contributing to boost the potential of a future European digital society, since, as we all know, digital skills are now essential in every aspect of our lives and careers. From navigating online platforms to using sophisticated software, digital literacy is no longer a luxury but a necessity.

The primary goal of the Spanish Digital Skills Plan is to ensure that all Spanish citizens, regardless of their age, background, or location, acquire the digital skills they need to fully participate in our digital society and economy.

Aligned with the European digital decade and its digital goals for 2030, the National Plan for Digital Skills in Spain revolves around 4 axes with 7 lines of action:

• Axis 1. Transversal digital skills, with two lines of action:
• Digital empowerment of citizens, with emphasis on groups at risk of digital exclusion.
• Fight against the gender digital divide.
• Axis 2. Digital transformation of education, with one line of action:
• Digitalisation of education and development of digital skills for learning.
• Axis 3. Digital skills for employment, with two lines of action focused on training in digital competences:
• Throughout working life, for unemployed people and for the working population with a focus on upskilling/reskilling, as well as for SMEs.
• Persons in the service of public administrations.
• Axis 4. Digital professionals, with a line of action focused on the promotion of ICT specialists through training on AI and cyber, as well as through programmes to attract and retain talent.

This Plan has a budget of 3,593 million euros, of which 1,600 million have already been implemented through various programmes in all the lines of action of the 4 axes, and almost one and a half million people have already been trained. 

To carry out this ambitious plan, a significant investment has been foreseen, the funds of which are already making it possible to accelerate the digital transformation of our country and improve the competitiveness of our economy. It is therefore an investment in the future via Next Generation EU Funds.

In order to continue to achieve and strengthen the Plan's objectives, public-private collaboration is essential, which is why the the Generation D Pact has been launched, as both the public and private sectors must work together towards a common goal: to leave no one behind in terms of digital skills in Spain.

The implementation of this plan requires a joint effort by all the actors involved. The government, administrations, businesses, universities and civil society must work in a coordinated manner to achieve the objectives set out in the plan.

The public-private partnership in the Generation D Pact allows:

• To provide a space for social agents, associations, companies, social entities, foundations and the media to publicise their own initiatives, publications, events, etc.
• Raising awareness in society on how to support projects and initiatives aimed at bridging digital divides, which is essential for society itself to become a digitally competent society in which no one is left behind.
• Train citizens in transversal digital skills and for employment; promote the digital transformation of SMEs, their managers and employees in need of retraining; lead the balance between the digital profiles demanded by companies and the programmes for attracting and retaining talent, by giving visibility to existing initiatives, encouraging them to join those already underway.
• Promote inter-ministerial collaboration, with autonomous communities and cities, institutions and government agencies to raise the visibility of government initiatives for bridging digital divides, digital inclusion and lifelong learning in digital skills.
• Promote certification of performance levels in digital skills.

The Plan directly references DigComp, the European Digital Competence Framework for Citizens, which outlines the essential digital skills needed for individuals to participate effectively in society. DigComp serves as a framework for assessing and developing digital skills, and the Spanish plan aims to improve the digital performance levels of its citizens across all age groups.

Actually in the Generation D Portal, which is the public web of the Pact, a Spanish Model of the Digital Skills for Citizens has been included, totally based on DigComp Skills, with over 1000 examples of application across different fields: daily life, learning, employability and public service. It is also an example of public - private collaboration, since the set of examples have been created by members of the GenD Pact.

While the plan is relatively new, with implementation underway, it is too early to assess its long-term impact. However, initial efforts have focused on providing digital training programs for various target groups, including the elderly, unemployed, and SMEs. The government has also invested in initiatives to promote digital literacy and awareness.  

Overall, the National Digital Skills Plan in Spain represents a significant step towards a more digitally inclusive and skilled society. By aligning with DigComp and implementing targeted initiatives, the plan aims to empower citizens to fully benefit from the opportunities offered by the digital age.

Spain has managed to provide over 66% of the population with at least basic digital skills, above the average of the European current percentage. Between 2021 and 2023, the percentage of the population with at least basic digital skills has risen in Spain from 64.2% to 66.2%, increasing by 2.0 percentage points. In both years, Spain remains above the European average, whose percentage in 2023 is 55.7%. Considering the younger population, aged 16 to 24, Spain with 84% also far exceeds the European average of 70%.

However, there are still areas where further development is needed to fully leverage the potential of the digital age:

1. Deepening Digital Skills: 

Advanced Digital Skills: While Spain has made progress in basic digital skills, there's a need to focus on developing advanced digital skills, especially in areas like data science, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.

Lifelong Learning: Promote continuous learning and upskilling opportunities for individuals throughout their careers to keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies.

2. Long-term vision beyond 2026 with strategic objectives, such as:

Define a clear and ambitious approach on the level of digital skills to be achieved at national level within a given and sectorised time horizon.Create a national body focused on the acquisition, development and improvement of digital skills in Spain through training and certification of people's performance levels, such as a National Centre for Digital Skills or similar, with competences in training and certification.

Here you are the summary of my intervention in the panel, with my appreciation for the invite and my gratitude to the organizers.