Digital skills are driving Europe’s workforce
Europe’s digital transformation is reshaping how people work, learn, and access services
As technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and immersive digital environments become increasingly common, digital skills are now essential for participation in both the labour market and everyday life.
However, recent data shows that only 55.6% of people in the European Union have at least basic digital skills.
To address this, the European Union has made digital skills a priority through its Digital Decade policy programme, launched in 2022.
Clearer ambitions are being set, and hopefully by 2030, at least 80% of adults should have basic digital skills, while the EU workforce should include 20 million ICT specialists.
Education is the foundation of digital skills
Higher education institutions are playing an increasingly important role in preparing professionals for a digital economy. One example is a new master’s degree programme designed to support digital transformation in the health sector.
Developed through the Digital Europe Programme, the course trains graduates to modernise healthcare systems, manage interoperable data platforms, and design ICT-enabled health services.
Interest in the programme has already exceeded expectations. While it initially aimed to reach 240 students over four years, enrolment has grown rapidly, with more than 180 students joining each of the first two cohorts. Events such as a summer school in Lisbon have also brought together students, educators, and industry experts to explore emerging challenges in digital healthcare.
Although small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of Europe’s economy, many struggle to keep pace with fast-changing digital technologies.
Limited time, funding and expertise can make it difficult for smaller companies to adopt tools such as artificial intelligence or advanced cybersecurity systems.
To support these businesses, targeted training programmes have been launched across Europe. One recent initiative offered short, focused courses on AI, blockchain, cybersecurity, and digital transformation strategies. The programme trained more than 2,000 professionals and reached over 1,500 SMEs through workshops, seminars, and executive courses.
Preparing the industry for the next transformation
As European industry moves past Industry 4.0 toward a more human-centred Industry 5.0 model, new training initiatives are focusing on people as much as technology. Projects funded under Horizon Europe are developing tools and recommendations to help workers, managers and students build the digital skills required for modern industrial environments.
By working closely with both large companies and SME networks, these initiatives aim to modernise education systems and workforce training. The goal is to ensure employees can adapt quickly to new technologies while supporting more sustainable and resilient industrial practices.
Emerging technologies such as extended reality (XR), which includes virtual and augmented reality, are opening new possibilities for training and education. XR-based learning environments allow users to interact with complex systems and scenarios in ways that traditional classroom methods cannot easily replicate.
European research projects are now developing immersive training platforms that combine XR technology with digital education resources. These platforms are designed to support hands-on training in fields such as advanced manufacturing.
Digital skills in healthcare
Healthcare is another sector undergoing major digital change. Innovations such as artificial intelligence, mobile health applications and data-driven treatment systems have the potential to transform patient care. However, many healthcare professionals and organisations still lack the digital knowledge needed to fully benefit from these tools.
Recent initiatives have addressed this gap by creating digital health training hubs, educational resources and e-learning platforms. These programmes bring together technology providers, healthcare institutions, policymakers, and citizens to accelerate the adoption of smart health solutions.
Across Europe, a growing network of training programmes, research initiatives and education projects is helping to build the digital capabilities needed for the future.