The federal government is launching a “digital skills offensive” together with social partners and local authorities. The goal, according to State Secretary Florian Tursky (ÖVP): by 2030, everyone in Austria should have basic digital skills. In addition, female IT specialists are promoted.
“It’s about making the most of the opportunities that digitization offers the population,” Tursky said at the opening press conference on Thursday. They don’t want to leave anyone behind in the digital transformation while ensuring more GDP growth and jobs. As a kick-off, five million euros is available this year.
Exceed EU requirements
The goals are ambitious: by 2030 everyone should have basic skills, not just 80 percent, as required by the EU. The value in Austria is currently 70 percent. The goal is to reach the 80 hurdles as early as 2025.
Tursky also promised a standardized Austrian competency model. All digital educational institutions must be bundled so that joint initiatives can be taken. There will also be a central point of contact for providers and interested parties and 400 accessible workshops will be offered this year.
Kogler full of praise
There were words of praise from Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens). He thanked Tursky for “bringing fresh wind and steam back into the business”. The public service under his responsibility is also affected, Kogler said, recalling successful projects under his predecessors, such as the digital job exchange.
Renate Anderl, chairman of the Chamber of Labour, emphasized that digitization should benefit people and not the other way around. She advocated breaking through role models in ICT training and taking into account people’s fear of not being able to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by digitalisation. Deputy Secretary General Mariana Kühnel emphasized on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce that the initiative is fully supported.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
