Digital transformation is booming and affecting every aspect of life. Digital skills are important because they underpin the way we interact and the way modern work is conducted. As reliance on the internet and digital technology increases, the workforce must keep pace with the changing skills demands of the labour market. Through the government's initiaive "Innovative Initiatives" and in close cooperation with key ministries, the University of Luxembourg and the private sector, the Department of Media, Connectivity and Digital Policy (SMC) helps address the challenge of the shortage of information technology (ICT) professionals by, amongst others, promoting and co-funding digital skills projects.
According to the European Commission's Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2022, Luxembourg is ranked 6th in terms of human capital and digital skills. In addition to the efforts made by the various ministries and institutions responsible, the SMC and Innovative Initiatives have also contributed to this good result, notably in the following ways:
- Steering of the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition Luxembourg (Digital Coalition)
Since 2019, Digital Luxembourg has been piloting the "Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition Luxembourg" (Digital Coalition), in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Trades. This Coalition enables the country's digital skills players to become members of the platform, make contacts, promote digital skills projects and find out about digital training courses. In 2023, the Digital Coalition will have 70 members, reflecting its success over the past few years.
- "Digital Skills Matchmaking" (DSMM)
The aim of the DSMM initiative is to help bridge the digital skills gap and ensure the availability of the talent that Luxembourg businesses need to thrive in the digital age. The DSMM therefore focuses on bringing together Luxembourg companies in need of a workforce with digital skills and project leaders or associations with needs in the context of their digital skills projects. The DSMM follows on from workshops to prepare companies and associations for an official matchmaking event to set up digital skills sponsorship partnerships during ICT Spring. The DSMMs have been held annually since 2021 and are the result of collaboration between the SMC and IMS Luxembourg.