“Digital everywhere”: hundreds of free workshops for everyone
As part of the Digital Skills Offensive, free “Digital Everywhere” workshops have been made available to all citizens in Austria since March 2024. In 2023, 800 pilot workshops were held, and since March 2024, a further 4,500 workshops have been offered. The aim of these workshops is to strengthen digital skills in Austria.
“Make the Internet your friend”
Under this motto, the 'Digital Everywhere' workshops cover a wide range of topics, including digital official channels, digital senior education, Artificial Intelligence, living with increasing digitalisation, and cybersecurity. The workshops are organised by institutions such as ABZ*AUSTRIA, the Professional Promotion Institute (BFI), the Austrian Institute for Applied Telecommunications (ÖIAT), the Economic Development Institute (WIFI) and many more to support participants in their digital competence development.
The entire range of workshops is available on the Digital Austria website, where the preview of the workshops is available until June 2024. The workshop programme is implemented by the OeAD Digital Skills Office as a National Agency for Education and Internationalisation.
From the summer of 2024 onwards, each municipality can also make reservations for workshops and increase the digital fitness of its citizens. The aim is to offer at least one free workshop per community. The focus ranges from the operation of digital devices and cybersecurity to artificial intelligence. The workshops will be rolled out in cooperation with the federal states as well as the Stadt- und Gemeindebund.
'Digital Everywhere Plus' from autumn 2024
The further 'Digital Everywhere Plus' workshops are designed to build on the 'Digital Everywhere' programme and are aimed at those who want to further deepen their acquired digital skills. Community learning, innovative teaching methods, and practical content are at the heart of this programme. This programme will also focus on training the trainers of the workshops. Participants will receive support in making the lessons more animated, individual and effective. This will take place from autumn 2024 onwards.
Self-assessment for Digital Competences
In addition to the workshops, Digital Austria offers a self-assessment for which interested parties can assess their digital level of knowledge. The self-assessment is available on the Digital Austria website and consists of 12 questions that provide information about digital fitness. In addition, a detailed evaluation of the test result can be downloaded.
The Digital Skills Offensive
In December 2022, the Digital Skills Offensive was adopted as a joint initiative by four Austrian ministries (BMKOES, BMF, BMBWF and BMAW) under the umbrella of the European Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition (DSJC), which aims to make Austria a leading country in digital skills in Europe and simultaneously promote intensive European exchange. The initiative includes joint strategy development with countries and stakeholders, as well as the use of a standardised database. A common reference framework for digital skills is also being implemented. The offer also includes continuing education for all age groups as well as the targeted education of vocational and training opportunities in Austria