ECDL Foundation welcomes the Commission’s Digital Agenda to promote economic recovery, and to improve social circumstances through a more competitive, inclusive, and digitally streamlined Europe. The Digital Agenda (19th May 2010) is the first of seven flagship initiatives under the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
Improved accessibility, employability, and education through enhanced ICT skills are integral to the mission of ECDL Foundation, and as the leading international digital skills certification authority, ECDL Foundation supports the Agenda’s identification of the need for improved ICT skills for all citizens as a measure to stimulate economic growth in Europe.
ECDL Foundation welcomes Key Action 10 which proposes digital literacy and competencies as a priority for the European Social Fund regulation – a measure which ECDL Foundation has been strongly advocating in recent years. Investment in technologies and improved broadband speed does not in itself sufficiently improve digital literacy rates; there must also be an investment in skills. Through recognised certification, investing stakeholders can see a clear and measurable return on this investment. It is of real importance to match the funding of infrastructure with the funding of skills: this will only be effective when funding is channelled through formal programmes with measurable outcomes.
ECDL Foundation also welcomes Key Action 11 which pledges to develop tools to identify and recognise the competencies of ICT practitioners, and users. Independently validated certification is one such tool, which allows employers to easily identify the skills level of existing and potential employees.
ECDL Foundation joins the Commission in calling on the Member States to implement long-term digital literacy and e-skills initiatives, and for these to be embedded in national policy as a means to drive competitiveness and growth in Europe. There needs to be a greater focus by the Member States on the incorporation of ICT skills and training into national education policies – in both formal and informal education.
ECDL Foundation supports the aims of the Commission’s Agenda, and will work as a leading stakeholder - both at European and Member State level - toward the practical implementation and achievement of these aims.
View The EU Commission's Digital Agenda and related key documents here.
