Building an adequate talent pool is key to Europe’s competitiveness, but progress towards the goals of the Digital Compass remains too slow. At the 2024 Digital Skills Summit organized by the Lisbon Council for Economic Competitiveness and Social Renewal think tank, MEP Victor Negrescu, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) of the European Parliament, delivered a compelling intervention on the critical need to enhance digital skills across the European Union (EU). In this regard, he emphasized the urgency of addressing the digital skills gap and proposed a unified European approach to education and training.

The Growing Significance of Digital Skills

Negrescu highlighted a stark reality – four out of five individuals acknowledge the increasing importance of digital skills, recognizing them as crucial competencies for the years to come.

Digital skills are no longer confined to the realm of employment but have permeated various aspects of daily life, from tax payments to interactions with healthcare systems. The MEP underscored the fact that without these skills it will become difficult to remain an active citizen.

The Current State of Digital Skills in the EU

Despite the awareness of the pivotal role digital skills play, Negrescu mentioned that approximately 30% of the European population feels inadequately equipped with the necessary digital skills. This deficiency can be attributed to various factors, with a primary concern being the lack of integration of digital skills into educational curricula. Negrescu emphasized that education should not only prepare citizens for the present but also equip them for the challenges in the next 10 or 20 years.

The Need for a Unified Approach

Negrescu also pointed out a significant hurdle – the absence of a common approach to digital skills development across EU member states. The lack of coordination, shared policies, and common frameworks hinder the harmonisation of educational efforts. Different countries have different priorities and curricula, creating a fragmented landscape where citizens may not receive the same level of digital training. The MEP argued, therefore, for a collaborative effort to share skills, knowledge, and training programs to ensure a unified and effective approach.

Challenges in the Training Sector

The Vice-Chair of the CULT Committee highlighted a current challenge exacerbated by the competitive nature of the training sector. With a shortage of trainers and professors in Information and Communication Technologies (IC&T) fields, countries with larger educational budgets are competing to attract the best talent. Negrescu expressed concerns about this competition, suggesting that it may hinder the development of a common market for skills and exacerbate existing challenges.

Towards a Common Framework for Online Certificates

However, the recent Council Recommendation on Improving the Provision of Digital Skills and Competences in Education and Training finally paves the way for a strategically coordinated European approach to boost computer science education in Europe. By the end of 2024, member states will have to formulate clear strategies to address the digital skills gap and be accountable for the results. In this regard, Negrescu proposed a solution to the European Commission to enhance digital skills development – the creation of a common framework for online certificates at the EU level. He argued that European universities should collaborate on shared platforms and projects, breaking down the barriers that currently divide them. The MEP’s call for a unified approach to online certificates reflects a commitment to creating a more interconnected and cooperative educational landscape.