Ninety-two percent of all job ads "definitely" or "likely" require digital skills. This is one of the key findings in the 2023 “Closing the digital skills divide” report compiled by the National Skills Coalition. The report analysed 43 million job postings in the USA during 2021 and although the findings are not directly transferable to Africa, it gives us a glimpse into the future of work for youth in Africa.

The call for digital transformation has been the corporate mantra for years and seems to have now become a reality. Covid likely accelerated digital transformation to the point where last year the study found that only 8%  of jobs do not require any digital skills. 

Other interesting findings are:

• As in Africa, much debate and efforts have been focused on digital access, however developing and enhancing digital skills is equally important. Improved digital access does not necessarily equate to increased digital skills.

• “Digital skill” means both foundational skills like email, developing spreadsheets, preparing documents, etc., and industry-specific skills like experience with for example specialist accounting software.

• The demand for digital skills is robust across all industries, and for all job levels.

• Small businesses are almost as likely to require digital skills as large businesses are.

• Around a third of workers don’t have adequate digital skills and this includes some of the digitally native, younger employees. 

• There is a correlation between an increased requirement for digital skills and median hourly wages. 

What benefit does closing the digital skills gap offer individuals, the economy, and the employer? 

When upskilling the individual, they are likely to earn higher income. “People who qualify for jobs that require even one digital skill can earn an average of 23 percent more than those working in jobs requiring no digital skills — an increase of $8,000 per year for an individual worker. These increased earnings could result in more state and federal tax revenue generated by each worker.”

By upskilling employees, employers are likely to extend the employee tenure therefore lowering the cost of employee turnover.

⁎Read the full report here: NSC-DigitalDivide_report_Feb2023.pdf (nationalskillscoalition.org)