Initiative #1 – Digital Skills

Rationale

Digital skills are essential for ensuring full, inclusive, and safe participation of individuals in the digital society, as well as being a fundamental factor in enhancing productivity and competitiveness in the Portuguese economy. However, the current scenario presents significant challenges: the most recent data from 2023 reveals that only 56% of the Portuguese population, aged 16 to 74, possesses basic digital skills (Eurostat, 2023).

Portugal has the second-largest digital skills gap in the European Union between the population with advanced education and those with little or no formal education. In 2023, approximately 88.9% of the population with advanced education had basic or above-basic digital skills, a figure that drops to about 23.2% for the population with little or no formal education (Eurostat, 2023). This significant 65.6 percentage point differential between the two groups highlights the need for a well-designed intervention to address these inequalities and ensure the entire population is equipped with the digital skills required to thrive in the digital era.

Details

The objective is to enhance the digital competencies of the population, thereby fostering a more inclusive society that is well-equipped to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by the digital age. Strategic actions will encompass digital inclusion, basic literacy, education, professional retraining, and advanced training.

Prioritising the enhancement of digital literacy among the population will concentrate on communities with limited access to digital resources. Raising awareness about the importance of digital skills and promoting safe technology use will ensure that everyone understands the risks and best practices in the digital environment.

In the education sector, an assessment of students' digital skills will be conducted, and training in digital competencies will be strengthened. Key competencies will include developing computational thinking skills, safe use of digital technologies, and capacitation related to the use of emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence.

Opportunities for professional retraining and continuous training in the digital field will be created, promoting employability in emerging sectors. Integrating digital technologies into the educational system will equip young students with the essential skills required to meet the demands of the labour market.

Research and innovation in digital fields will be encouraged in order to create conditions for the retention and attraction of qualified talent.