Austria - The Digital Skills Model: DigComp 2.3 AT

The survey of the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) has improved in recent years and ranked 10th in 2022. Nevertheless, digital education in Austria still needs to be developed. 

Under the European umbrella of the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition, the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition aims to make Austria a European leader in digital skills. Professionalisation in the digital competence area requires appropriate standardisation. A key project of the Digital Skills Offensive is therefore the Austrian Digital Competence Model ‘DigComp 2.3 AT’ – derived from the European Digital Competence Framework. This competency model serves to classify and compare digital skills.

The Digital Competence Model for Austria – DigComp 2.3 AT was drawn up based on the European Digital Competence Framework (DigComp). The Austrian Reference Framework contains individual adaptations and extensions compared to the European and defines digital competences in six areas of competence and eight levels of competence; within the six areas of competence, there are 27 individual competences. The following competence requirements have been integrated into the latest version of the competency model: conscious consideration of digitality, legally compliant digital publication skills and the sustainable use of resources in IT operations.

Accordingly, the model describes 27 individual competences in the following six areas of competence:

• Basics, access and digital understanding
• Information and data management
• Communication, interaction and cooperation
• Creation, production and publication
• Security and sustainable use of resources
• Problem solving, innovation and learning

Detailed information on the background to version 2.3 AT can be found in a post in the Mediaimpulse magazine (No 4, 2022). A separate guide for a deeper understanding of the competence levels is available and is also available in a translation in English.

DigComp 2.3 AT provides a basis for educational planning, a basis for tests and certificates and a possibility to classify educational offers, which is broadly valid for Austria and is capable of joining Europe because of the alignment with the European Digital Competence Framework. 

 “In practice, our skills model should be as much as the Austrian currency for digital expertise. It provides clear guidance for employers, workers and course providers, thus promoting digital skills development in Austria.’ – Secretary of State Florian Tursky.