Short term training courses in key capacity areas

Outcome and Deliverables

The EU has a significant and systemic gap between market needs and what is offered in terms of skills related to advanced digital technologies. The European Investment Bank (EIB) reports that the lack of staff with the right skills is the main obstacle to new investment for businesses. In addition, 53% of companies trying to recruit ICT specialists find it difficult. When looking at the digital skills of the current workforce, only 65% has digital skills which are “above basic”. This contributes to refrain from the uptake of advanced digital technologies. The action aims at increasing the training offer, responding to the needs of both people in the workforce and job seekers who need to upskill.

Objective

The aim of this action is to give the possibility to the current workforce to access trainings reflecting the latest developments in key capacity areas, such as HPC, Cybersecurity, AI and other emerging technologies. These technologies evolve at such a fast pace that requires a constant update of the digital skills, also of the people already in employment. This investment will increase the number of men and women able to design, develop and deploy digital solutions in the economy and across sectors.

The project aims at expanding the existing offer for training and retrain existing workforce, with a particular focus that enables to meet the needs of SMEs.

Scope

The selected project shall design the content of these courses will be based on the companies, in particular SMEs needs in certain technologies together and provide the adequate degree of flexibility that is needed for the employees to attend. Training activities can take place at the SME premises, or remotely or at universities/training providers’ premises. EDIHs will act as intermediaries between SMEs and universities/training providers at the local level. Alternatively, if specific EDIHs are not available, then the member state can appoint an intermediary body instead. The use of digital technology to provide learning experiences that are flexible in time, scope end place should be encouraged.

In particular, the action will support the design and delivery of the short-term training courses in advanced technologies for both people already in employment and jobseekers. Particular attention shall be given to aspects such as green application and environmental impact of these technologies. Funding will also cover targeted trainings to develop digital skills in key professions handling sensitive data, such as health and care professionals and managers, as well as the provision of the Crash Courses announced in the SME-strategy.

Funding will be provided to consortia of education and training providers, working together with relevant stakeholders with expertise in the digital area covered.

European Digital Innovation Hubs will have a particular role in disseminating and, when possible, delivering these courses locally.

Adequate measures of quality assurance and quality monitoring, as well as activities leading to mutual learning and exchange of good practices, will be implemented.