The challenge

In an increasingly digitalised and globalised world, more and more Europeans live in urban areas, which emphasises the need to foster sustainable urban development. Whilst this development fosters economy and innovation, it also causes major societal struggles. As a result, the Jobs and Skills Partnership addresses the issue of inclusive and quality employment. It aims to create the conditions for sustainable economic development while also ensuring that the society is keeping up with the skills and knowledge needed for the 21st century economy.

In this light, Action 2 – Future Labour Market Skills - tackles the issue of the limited inclusion at the local level, skills mismatch as well as lack of tools for exchanging ideas, know-hows, and projects. Such exchange is needed to foster digital transformation and assist in establishing the importance of digital skills and competences for the future. Simultaneously, the action is looking at the necessity to prevent digital divide: it recommends looking at the needs of local and regional actors working with digital innovation across the different societal levels. 

What is being done

To address this challenge Action 2 provides a permanent online tool for knowledge exchange in relation to the future labour market skills. In this regard, the Action created a platform for various stakeholders to share and transfer the best practices of local approaches to develop digital skills and competences.

This repository, titled Digital Skills Map, gives results and knowledge of various projects from diverse European regions. The interactive map provides the interested parties with information on local approaches when addressing digital transformation and its impact to vocational education and training. Up to this day, the project has mapped out 65 projects, which is updated on a regular basis.

A worthwhile example showcased in the map is MIKADO – Multiplier Training Digital Empowerment project. This training aims to transfer the good practices of Berlin project “Digital Empowerment” around the federal states in Germany. It seeks to connect the relevant actors, empower participants, and provide the tools needed to develop digital literacy of refugee women. The training offers a hybrid mode of learning with both face-to-face and online phases. The two-year project will culminate in a final conference and a handout with good practices.

This example and many others once tested can be adapted and implemented in other cities. 

More information

About the Jobs and Skills in the Local Economy Partnership

About the Final Action Plan of the Jobs and Skills in the Local Economy

About the Digital Skills Map

About the MIKADO – Multiplier Training Digital Empowerment