Advanced digital skills now critical for employment across industries

The study zeroes in on a pressing question of the digital age: which specific digital skills most strongly influence employment success? Using the European Commission’s Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) framework, the researchers examined five categories of digital skills, information and data literacy, communication and collaboration, digital content creation, safety, and problem-solving, each evaluated at basic and above-basic proficiency levels.

A new pan-European study delivers compelling evidence that advanced digital skills, not just basic literacy, are now a decisive factor in securing employment across the continent. The analysis, titled "Impact of the Digital Skills on Employability: Cross-Sectional Analysis" and published in Economies, breaks down five key areas of digital competence to determine how they influence workforce participation.

Using 2023 data from 32 European countries, the researchers found that higher-level proficiencies in areas such as communication, collaboration, digital content creation, and cybersecurity significantly raise employment prospects. Their findings draw a sharp line between basic digital familiarity and the elevated skillsets now in demand across industries.

How do specific digital skills influence employment prospects?

The study zeroes in on a pressing question of the digital age: which specific digital skills most strongly influence employment success? Using the European Commission’s Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) framework, the researchers examined five categories of digital skills, information and data literacy, communication and collaboration, digital content creation, safety, and problem-solving, each evaluated at basic and above-basic proficiency levels.

Initial results revealed a marked distinction in the employability value of basic versus above-basic skill levels. While individuals with above-basic capabilities in digital communication, content creation, and safety were significantly more likely to be employed, the possession of only basic skills in these areas showed little to no positive correlation, and in some cases, a negative one, with employment rates. This distinction became critical in interpreting how digital readiness translates to labor market inclusion.

Communication and collaboration skills emerged as particularly influential. Regression analysis showed that both basic and advanced levels of these skills were positively associated with employment, with higher proficiency levels amplifying employability outcomes. Digital content creation skills also had a measurable impact, though only the above-basic tier showed a statistically significant link to increased employment. Similarly, digital safety skills were shown to enhance employability, but only when workers demonstrated advanced knowledge and practices in cybersecurity and online risk mitigation.

However, the study could not confirm the direct effects of information/data literacy and problem-solving skills due to multicollinearity and model instability. Despite this, correlation data hinted at a positive influence from above-basic levels of these competencies, though the relationship could not be statistically validated in the regression models. These omissions highlight limitations in current data granularity rather than an absence of effect.

Why are higher-level digital skills more valued by employers?

The researchers explored the demand-side rationale behind employers’ preference for advanced digital skills. In a labor market increasingly shaped by automation, remote work, and digitized services, companies are prioritizing candidates capable of functioning in complex, tech-driven environments. Basic digital literacy, while necessary, no longer suffices as a competitive advantage.

In the area of communication and collaboration, advanced digital abilities allow workers to operate seamlessly within distributed teams, manage virtual workflows, and engage with internal and external stakeholders through sophisticated digital platforms. These capacities are especially valuable in roles requiring remote coordination or cross-functional teamwork, both of which are increasingly common across sectors.

Digital content creation skills were highlighted as another vital area, particularly in marketing, education, media, and IT-driven fields. Above-basic content skills extend beyond simple file editing to include multimedia production, knowledge of intellectual property protocols, and the ability to tailor digital outputs for targeted engagement. This multifaceted capability aligns with organizational goals of digital branding and user-centric communication.

Cybersecurity awareness, categorized under digital safety, was also emphasized. As industries such as finance, healthcare, and technology increasingly rely on digital infrastructures, employees who understand data protection, threat mitigation, and safe online behavior are essential to organizational resilience. The study found that only above-basic safety skills translated into higher employability, signaling employers’ preference for individuals with a strong grasp of digital risk management.

Employers view advanced digital skills not only as job-specific competencies but as indicators of adaptability, critical thinking, and continuous learning, traits that support workforce flexibility and long-term growth.

What are the implications for education and workforce policy?

The European Union’s Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030 has prioritized digital upskilling as a cornerstone of its labor agenda, and this study directly reinforces that direction. By demonstrating that higher-level digital capabilities are strongly linked to employability, the research validates ongoing efforts to expand access to advanced digital education.

Education systems are encouraged to go beyond foundational ICT instruction and integrate targeted training in collaborative technologies, multimedia content tools, and cybersecurity protocols. The authors advocate for embedding these competencies within both hard skill and soft skill curricula to create a digitally competent and job-ready population. Training programs should also reflect evolving industry needs, using project-based and interactive learning models to foster real-world application.

Additionally, public policy should recognize that digital inequalities persist, not just in access, but in the depth of skills acquired. Investment in lifelong learning, modular training for adults, and digital certification systems can help bridge the employability divide. The evidence suggests that policies focused on raising above-basic proficiency levels in digital competencies will yield the most significant gains in employment participation.

Despite its strengths, the study acknowledges certain limitations. It relies on a single year of data and excludes combined digital skill interactions due to model constraints. It also lacks macroeconomic controls such as GDP per capita and public investment in education, which may affect cross-country comparisons. Nonetheless, the authors consider their findings a critical step toward identifying digital skills that matter most in shaping modern employment trajectories.