As the past three decades have seen digital technology drastically change the workplace for all business types, Helastel, leading Smart Software & IT specialists, looked at just how digitally literate businesses and their employees actually are.
From the introduction of personal computers and the internet to the rapid development of universally used IT systems and remote wireless technology, the need for a ‘digitally literate’ workforce is becoming increasingly important.
A 2016 governmental report found that there was a chronic shortage in the workforce with relevant skills, stating that 72% of large companies and 49% of SMEs are suffering tech skill gaps.
Helastel conducted the study in an attempt to further understand how employees and businesses really feel about digital literacy five years on; do they know what it is, do they think it is important and who is responsible to ensure a person is effectively trained in it?
The data found suggests that only 23% of employees actually understand what digital skills were as opposed to technology skills. 37.75% believed it was both installing equipment and setting up software programmes and the skills and behaviours used when online however, it is really just the latter.
Mariela Popova, Marketing Manager for Helastel said, “The digital world is constantly expanding and within the next few years we can expect our workforce to be even more digitally focused than it is now. Our survey has enabled us to analyse the bridge between employees and their leaders’ understanding of the importance of digital literacy.
Employing digital literate people is important to the future of our businesses however we shouldn’t turn our backs on those who are less confident, businesses should invest in their people and in their digital strategy.”
With this in mind, the data found suggests that businesses currently believe that they are investing and providing the means to learn and develop in digital literacy. 40% of decision makers stated they provide formal training monthly with a further 14% stating they provide it weekly. However, this is a stark contrast to employees who stated they hadn’t received any training in the last six months (25%) and 15% saying they hadn’t received any in the last year.
The results of the survey were able to detect that miscommunication between employers and employees could be having a massive impact on businesses. Decision makers stated that they are more likely to implement mentoring to help with digital literacy (19%) however employees said they believe that mentoring was the fifth most effective method, behind training (22%), weekly lessons (18%) and investing in new technologies (15%).
Digital transformations such as automation, digitalisation, and A.I. are also happening in the workplace therefore, digital literacy is crucial at the professional level. A study conducted by IBM in 2019 showed that “as a result of intelligent automation,” up to 120 million workers will need retraining or re-skilling.
A recent American study found that in the US Eight out of 10 mid-level jobs now require basic digital literacy – for instance, familiarity with productivity software used in the workplace; however 17% of Americans, even with a high school diploma, do not have the required digital literacy to navigate a modern office environment.
“What our survey has found is that digital literacy is increasingly becoming a core importance for both businesses and their employees. However, there seem to be missed communications between decision makers and employees over which areas are more important and the support that is needed or provided.
As decision makers we need to equip workers with digital literacy skills and help them recognize and market the skills they already possess. Despite the next generation of workers being more equipped we must still provide the skills and training to help all workers be on a level playing field.
Having a workforce that develops and learns with the ever-evolving digital world is key for efficiency, productivity and success. A business that invests in its digital literacy strategy is a business that can and will stand the test of time.”
You can see more of the results from the Helastel survey as well as their tips on how to create a more digital literate workplace here: https://www.helastel.com/workplace-digital-literacy-strategies-what-decision-makers-and-employees-think/
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Source: http://hrnews.co.uk/only-a-quarter-of-employees/
