In this economy, every job is a digital job. The vast majority of jobs need people to have the skills and competencies to leverage technology to its best advantage. But what these skills are – and what level of skill is needed – remains unclear.

WHAT NOW? | Digital Skills Decoded, a new policy brief by Janet Lane of Canada West Foundation, recommends that Canada build and adopt a digital competency framework. Her review of six digital skills frameworks from economies similar to Canada’s led to an identification of six common competencies:

1. Foundational digital skills
2. Information and data literacy
3. Communication and collaboration
4. Problem solving
5. Digital content creation
6. Digital safety.

A case is made for using the digital competency framework to recognize upskilling needs and for employers to provide opportunities for digital skills training to their current workforce.

No matter which job a candidate is in or wants to qualify for, possessing at least a basic level of digital skill will be a major part of the job description. Knowing which skills they have, at what level, and gaining an understanding of how that needs to change is crucial. To win with the digital transformation that is happening ever faster in today’s workplaces, both individuals and employers will need to ensure that opportunities for upskilling of digital skills continue.