Digital Skills in Focus
In autumn 2024, the Austrian Framework of Reference for Digital Competence (NRDK) was adopted with the goal to promote a shared understanding of digital competences. This framework provides a structured model, categorizing digital skills across various domains and proficiency levels, related to the European Union Digital Competence Framework for Citizens (DigComp). In preparation for its implementation, the Digital Competences Office affiliated to the OeAD commissioned a study in spring 2024 to gather foundational information on non-formal continuing education courses related to digitalisation. The study also aimed to document the challenges and approaches associated with mapping related courses to the NRDK framework.
One of the study’s objectives was to estimate the scope and structure of Austria’s non-formal continuing education offerings in digitalisation. However, this task was complicated by limited statistical data and the absence of a comprehensive database covering the full range of available programmes. To address these limitations, the analysis relied on a large sample drawn from various databases. The project also explored the classification and categorisation of non-formal digital skills training within the context of the NRDK, testing the framework with practical examples. The insights gained from this process are intended to inform the ongoing implementation and refinement of the framework.
The final report detailing the findings and recommendations from this project is available here.
image by Bundeskanzleramt
Contact: Günter Hefler
Client: Geschäftsstelle Digitale Kompetenzen – OeAD
