EIT Digital wins EU project to train SMEs for the Digital Decade

During the next three years, EIT Digital and its project partners will deliver short-term training programmes for Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises with a focus on three digital technology areas of strategic importance for Europe: Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and Cybersecurity.

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% have digital skills which are "above basic". This contributes to refraining from the uptake of advanced digital technologies.

As a result of this gap analysis, the European Commission issued under its Digital Europe programme a call for proposals for projects that have a particular focus on the needs of SMEs and that aim at expanding the existing offer for training and retraining for both job seekers and current staff. SMEs' workforce shall be able to access training that reflects the latest developments in key technology areas; areas that evolve at a fast pace and thus require a constant update of digital skills.