Why digital skills are important for inclusion in 2022

In 2021 Lloyds reported that over 20% of the UK population were found to have zero or very limited levels of the digital skills needed for everyday life. As work, daily activities and play are becoming increasingly reliant on digital technologies, it’s vitally important we engage with this 20%, while not forgetting those already taking advantage of the online world, ensuring their skills are also up-to-date.??

Furthermore, around 11.8 million (36%) of the workforce lack the essential digital skills needed in the workplace and only have the skills needed to perform a percentage of the tasks required within their roles. Generally, they are unable to conduct other digital tasks, such as accessing their wage slips,? marketing themselves and their businesses, conducting their own business finances, or finding a new job online.???

For those who have limited digital skills, they might find situations like connecting to Wi-Fi, altering settings, online banking, ordering repeat prescriptions, or understanding how to utilise security protocols to keep themselves safe, a frustrating struggle.??

The five 'essential digital skills' areas are:?

• Problem solving?
• Communicating?
• Transacting?
• Being safe and legal online?
• Handling information and content??

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These are then broken down further into seven ‘foundation tasks’:?

• Using the different menu settings on a device to make it easier to use?
• Finding and opening different applications/programmes on a device?
• Updating and changing a password when prompted to do so?
• Turning on a device and logging into any accounts/profiles?
• Open an Internet browser to access websites?
• Utilise the available controls on a device??
• Connect a device to a Wi-Fi network?

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Would you be able to action all the tasks above quickly and confidently? If so, you’re part of the 80% that have the relevant digital skills for life.??

If you, or someone you know, doesn’t possess these digital skills, they are considered ‘digitally excluded'– people in this category may find it hard to engage with virtual work meetings, access union communications or send an email with attachments with confidence.??

There may be underlying reasons for digital exclusion or lacking the required skills, and it’s worth taking a moment to consider some of the following points:?

• Do they have an adequate device to access services? Do they have a device at all? Is the device outdated? Is the device shared across other members of their family or community? Is cost a barrier??
• Do they lack the required skills, confidence or tools to complete their tasks? Have they never previously needed these skills to complete the same task??
• We know that smart device-only users are much more likely to be ‘narrow internet users’ with less confidence and digital knowledge than a standard desktop computer user.???
• Do they have access to the Internet? Do they have an Internet connection at home? Do they have a reliable broadband or a data connection? Are they in a remote or poor connection area? Is the cost of broadband prohibitive? Is internet access in public places like libraries???
• Ofcom in April 2021 reported that between March 2020 and March 2021 the percentage of households without Internet access reduced from 11% to 9%, however connectivity doesn’t necessarily mean digital skills? – 19% of the UK have connectivity but no or low digital skills.??
• Do they have reasonable adjustment requirements, accessibility needs or is English not their first language???
• Good Things Foundation found that 25% of disabled adults have never used the Internet and 45% don’t have the essential digital skills.??

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Recognising these potential barriers, there’s many reasons why it’s important that people build their digital skills .?

With the urgent need for many to move to online, hybrid or home working environments in 2020, digital skills have enabled individuals to using video calling programmes to keep in contact with family and friends,? order food and shopping deliveries, keep up to date with NHS alerts, pay bills and fill in forms, and find that iconic lockdown recipe for banana bread.??

The ILO suggests that digital skills will be a key requirement in the future world of work – so even if banana bread and Skyping the family isn’t your thing, keeping up to speed with skills for career progression might be. Fostering a continuous learning ideology, which includes digital skills, can be great for the CV too!??

Then there’s also the less tangible benefits such as increased wellbeing, a feeling of belonging (online communities), the opportunity to share and personal empowerment.???

If you would like to improve your digital skills, check out Learn My Way, a free online training course created around the Essential Digital Skills Framework. ?

If you feel confident in your digital skills and would like to help others with theirs, then check out Local Digital’s Toolkit or find a digital champions network within your workplace or local community.??

Liz will be delivering various sessions on digital skills over the next few weeks, for further details please see here: https://prospect.org.uk/get-involved/free-bitesize-vocational-learning/?