Digital Competence: A Necessity in the Modern World

Digital Competence: A Necessity in the Modern World
Our world is undergoing major transformation as technology permeates through every sector, business and process. These are allowing organizations to operate at an improved rate of efficiency, improving productivity, quality and output. The days of using humans to perform laborious, repetitive tasks are long gone and technology we would have used just fifty years ago, would now be considered obsolete. Moving into an ever-evolving digital world, we need to make sure that our human capital is invested in just as much as technology.
Without people businesses fall flat, as after all, even with the most sophisticated technology setup, skilled people are needed to develop, install, operate and maintain them. The economies of scale that innovation is bringing can be seen across the board with the introduction of robotics, artificial intelligence and greater process automation. This greater reliance on technology mean that the skills requirement is shifting as workers need digital skills to take advantage of these new innovations. This is effecting the workplace with some jobs being totally replaced by automation, while others requiring the upskilling/reskilling for employees to play a productive part in the new digital ecosystem. 
What is worrying is the global shortage of such skills in the workplace and the growing mismatch between the skills that students possess once completing their education, whatever level this may be, and the skills that are required in the marketplace. This goes back to my long time view which I have been pressing for over 20 years that our education systems are well out of date and need to be modernized as presently they are not equipped to sufficiently prepare our youth for the digital economy. If this is not addressed, digital jobs will continue to be outsourced abroad, or attract skilled immigrants that have the requisite skills. This skills-gap could very well threaten the stability of national labor markets as countries fail to address such a fundamental issue, which has been the subject of debate for many years.
This is supported by a study undertaken by the European Commission which noted that 42% of Europeans do not have basic digital skills and that Europe lacks skilled ICT specialists to fill the growing number of job vacancies in all sectors. In order to address this startling gap, the EU launched numerous initiatives to tackle national digital competence under their ‘New Skills Agenda’ that includes expert advice, training opportunities and career support. Is this enough? Only time will tell, but at the European ‘ball’ has started rolling in this vital area which is imperative to future prosperity. 
I am a strong believer in proactive action and  I call for Arab nations to adopt a similar approach and to develop a pragmatic skills programme that should form part of their national strategies. The UAE is leading in this area and has launched several initiatives to educate and improve the digital skills of their population under the diligent eye of HE Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid, who is a very close and valued friend. Other Arab nations must follow suit and do the same as otherwise they will be left behind and have more unemployment to complain about as they find themselves digitally excluded. 
Automation brings with it the threat of job loss which fuels animosity towards change, particularly among low skilled workers. A lack of digital skills equals a shrinking labor force that in turn raises inequality and poverty. This must be used as an opportunity to develop skills across the board so that each person can see a future in the digital economy. If this is done, the process of technology adoption and change resistance will be solved, as employees see they have a part to play in its success, have greater job opportunities in the future and will support digital transformation efforts. The digital economy does not discriminate and provides opportunities to those willing to take the risk. A clear plan of action with support from the top goes a long way.
Authorities should focus on developing a positive narrative around the digital economy and develop a tailored ecosystem in which public and private entities can come together to discuss what is needed from infrastructure, people, skills and policy perspectives. Gaining trust from the public is essential to foster change and the need for continuous and lifelong learning must be incentivized and encouraged.
Digital competence is essential at a time where we all are feeling the effects of the corona pandemic. It is a wake up call for us to change the ways we have been operating. Digital innovations proved to be vital during this period and will play a greater role in global prosperity. We must take firm action now to avoid any future decimation of our economies through lack of digital readiness and invest in a programmer of digital competence for all.