e-Skills – the key for Europe’s success as an inclusive, innovative society

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) March 3, 2010 -- Brussels, 1 March 2010: Latest studies show that in the next five years 90% per cent of jobs will require ICT skills . Already now the employment rate for those with high skill levels across the EU as a whole is 84% and for low skill levels it stands at 49% . Whilst broader incentives and action-orientated measures are needed to enhance their digital literacy, Europeans still lack awareness of the importance of e-skills for their careers.

On the occasion of the start of European e-Skills Week, the European e-Skills Association (see www.eskillsassociation.eu), formerly e-Skills ILB, has formulated 5 key recommendations to support European policymakers in their effort to sustain the continent’s competitiveness:
1. Foster synergies amongst educational institutes, ICT industry, IT professionals in the private and public sector to promote e-skills and training
2. Increase attractiveness of ICT as a career path
3. Foster ICT professionalism
4. Align the supply of e-Skills training and qualifications with demand
5. Drive uptake of e-skills in business, especially in SMEs

Dr. Michael Gorriz, EeSA co-Chair, EuroCio President and Daimler CIO and fellow co-Chair Jan Muehlfeit, EeSA Board member and Chairman of Microsoft Europe, said:

“We congratulate the European Parliament for recognising digital competences for an inclusive digital society as a pillar of the Digital Agenda . However, concrete action needs to go beyond access to high speed internet connections for all primary and secondary schools.

Access to content, ICT training and learning material for students, as well as better qualifications and incentives for teachers need to be in place to embrace ICT in an innovative way and to embed it in the way they teach and interact with learners. Such improvements are key to breakthrough.

Digital literacy training actions – especially for groups at risk of exclusion – should be undertaken in close collaboration with industry and stakeholders for an effective implementation. Co-investments should be the way forward and to this end, a more specific use of EU and national funds is recommended so that training actions respond to real and updated needs in the workplace. We at EeSA offer our platform of practitioners and users to further clarify and advise on best ways towards firm progress and collaborative initiatives in support of the European digital agenda.”

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