Squad on Digital Skills in Non-ICT Professions | Digital Skills and Jobs Platform

Decorative image with illustration of Europe map and people working in front of it. Banner states: Squad on Digital Skills in Non-ICT Professions

Call for Participants

The Digital Skills and Jobs Platform (DSJP) is extending an invitation to professionals across different sectors to join an online working group (squad) focused ondigital skills in non-ICT professions. We encourage experts with a keen interest in promoting digital skills to apply and actively contribute to the squad's objectives. The squad will be running from January to June 2024. 

Digital Skills in non- ICT professions 

In Europe, over 90% of jobs require basic digital knowledge, yet 42% of Europeans lack these skills, impacting the EU's digital competitiveness. The Digital Decade Decision sets ambitious 2030 targets, aiming for 80% of European citizens to have basic digital knowledge and 20 million ICT experts in Europe. The 2023 State of the Digital Decade report assesses progress in achieving a successful digital transformation outlined in the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030. Despite substantial investments (EUR 26.9 billion), projections suggest the EU may fall short of its goals, with only 59% of Europeans having basic digital skills by 2030 without further action. The Digital Decade report and the Cardinal Points highlight the urgent need for digital skills across sectors, including ICT and traditional professions in Europe's digital transformation.

In particular, there is a growing need for industry specialists with advanced digital skills, known as 'digital integrators', especially in key fields like medicine and agriculture. These specialists play a crucial role in leveraging digital technologies such as AI, augmented reality, and data analysis for purposes like accurate diagnoses, training, and optimising production processes.

Digital Skills and Jobs Platform

The Digital Skills and Jobs Platform is the home of digital skills and jobs initiatives in Europe. It provides a wide range of high-quality information, resources, and opportunities in the area of digital skills and jobs across all levels, from basic to advanced. New users can find accessible and up-to-date insights on the latest trends in digital skills, while more experienced professionals can benefit from targeted content relevant to their field of expertise.  

At the very heart of the Platform lies the diverse Digital Skills and Jobs Platform Community, comprising of organisations and stakeholders active in promoting digital skills on local, regional, national, and European level.

Squad: Call for Participation

The "Digital Skills in Non-ICT Professions" squad will collaborate online from January to June 2024.  Key findings will be shared within the DSJP community, consisting of over 10,000 members in the field of digital skills and jobs, and will be communicated to European Commission experts.

Squad members share responsibilities for goals and tasks, which are set under the guidance of a squad leader and commit to a workload of 1 or 2 hours per week (including time for monthly squad calls).  

By participating in the squad, you will have the opportunity to bring your unique knowledge and perspective to an international setting. The squad, comprising approximately 10-20 selected members, will work collaboratively over six months to produce valuable outputs, such as a vision paper, policy recommendations, podcasts, or toolkits. 

Main questions the squad will address

In which non-tech industries is there a rising demand for digital skills, and what are the specific skill sets in demand? 
How can we define and identify digital integrators, and what are the key characteristics of specialists with advanced digital skills? 
What strategies can be implemented to develop advanced digital competencies within traditional sectors? 
Are there any successful case studies or best practices in integrating advanced digital skills in non-tech industries that we can learn from?