Why Digital Skills Are Important in Today’s Economy

Title: Why Digital Skills Are Important in Today’s Economy.

Author: National Digital Competence Framework for Learners (NDCLL)

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Suppose two young Africans graduated the same day. One can type a letter, send an email and do a simple Internet search. The other can create a website, use spreadsheet to analyze the data, put up a social media ad campaign, and use AI tools to automate repetitive tasks.

So which one will be hired?

This is an easy one. Digital skills are no longer nice-to-have in the current economy. They are the new alphabet.

Now, from agriculture to a financial sector, from a retail to a religious sector, everything has become digital. If your business is not online, it doesn't really exist. Most employers are unable to see a job seeker who is not digitally competent.

This is why ‘Digital skills' are critical for survival and success in the 21st century economy.

 2. The Digital Age has become a necessity for nearly all jobs.

Ten years ago, you'd be able to use only a pen and paper to be an administrative assistant. Now, that means handling digital calendars, cloud storage, making spreadsheets and joining video conferences.

Traditionally “non-digital” employment has undergone transformation as well. Mobile applications enable farmers to follow the weather forecast and market prices. Diagnostic software is useful for mechanics to identify engine issues. Mobile money and payment terminals are used by shop keepers.

Digital skills are no longer limited to tech people. They're for all people. If a young person can't use simple software, he or she is basically illiterate for the job.

 2. The growth of remote and freelance jobs.

The remote work revolution around the world is a boon for Africa. This is the first time in Cameroon that a young person can have a chance to compete for jobs on the basis of skill and not location.

However, remote work comes with one prerequisite – digital competency. If you can't collaborate with others with tools such as Slack, Trello, Zoom or Google Workspace, you can't work remotely. If you don't know how to create a profile, send proposals and deal with digital payments, you won't be able to work on platforms such as Upwork or Fiverr.

The digital world opens up the world of business. If you don't, you are restricted to your local economy, which is for many of us, limited opportunities.

 3. Digital Skills Multiple income streams.

Diversification of income is one of the best financial advice that a young girl or boy should take. It's not safe to depend on a single salary. Digital skills will make diversification a breeze.

A student at the university can get freelance logo work to do on the side while he or she is studying graphic design. A teacher who becomes proficient with content writing can make some additional cash with blog posts. A driver that has learned how to deal with social media management can manage pages for small businesses.

This is not wishful thinking. Thousands of young Africans are already doing this. They mastered one digital skill and made a side hustle out of it, and at times it earns more than their regular salary. Economy is uncertain and many incomes are a survival tactic.

 4. Artificial Intelligence is changing the rules

Today, AI, including AI tools such as ChatGPT, is transforming the definition of digital skills. But some are concerned that AI will take the place of human workers. The more intelligent perspective is that AI will supplant the jobs of those who fail to understand how to utilize it.

A writer who takes advantage of AI tools to brainstorm ideas, structure articles, and proofread for grammar will create ten times the amount of content than a writer who doesn't embrace AI. An accountant using AI tools to analyze spreadsheets will be able to identify trends more quickly than a manual accountant.

The new digital skill involves more than software usage. It's about empowering you with AI. African youths who can effectively activate the AI tools will beat their peers in a dramatic fashion.

 In the digital world, marketing can be done through any and all doors.

No business is complete without customers, and for the smallest of businesses, it is even more crucial to have them. Customers are online in today's world. This means that digital marketing is one of the most important skillsets out there.

Knowing how to optimize search engines, advertise on social media, send out emails, build content and evaluate the analytics is gold. Any business can benefit from a young man or woman who has these skills and who could be a valuable source of income for them as a consultant or a well-paying employee for the company.

Better yet, these skills can easily be transferred. One SEO expert can spend the morning on marketing a restaurant in Lagos and the afternoon on marketing a London clothing company. The same ability is used for both.

 Data is the new oil Data is the new oil (6).

All online activities create data. Purchases, viewership, search and page time. This information can be extremely useful to businesses that are working to make decisions.

However, data, by itself, is not information. It needs to be translated. Particularly, that's where data analysis skills come in.

When it comes to data, knowing how to use Excel, Google Sheets or more powerful applications like Power BI or Tableau transforms data into actionable insights. Companies will pay well for people who can sit in front of a spreadsheet and tell the company, "Here is what this means to our strategy.

 8. Online learning is the most convenient mode of acquiring digital skills.

The good news is that Digital skills are one of the few trainable skills that can be done for free or little.

YouTube offers full courses in Excel, graphic design, coding, digital marketing and data analysis. Some websites such as freeCodeCamp, Khan Academy, Google's Digital Garage and Meta Blueprint provide top-notch training for free. With just a smart phone and a bit of effort.

Digital marketers and data analysts don't necessarily require a university degree. Proper evidence of competence is required. Build a portfolio. Create sample projects. Complete free certification exams! The diploma is a thing of the past and your effort will be heard.

 8. The Cost of Being Left Behind

Opportunity has a twin sister, risk. Technology is one of those skills that will not be included in the curriculum for young Africans who do not pay attention to it.

The more automated the world becomes, the more non-digital, repetitive work jobs will be phased out. The check-out attendant that doesn't use inventory software. The checkout person that doesn't use stock software. A clerk who is unable to operate with digital records. The receptionist that is not able to do online bookings.

These positions are not being replaced. The economy will either thrive or survive without you. For those who choose not to acquire digital knowledge, it is a choice to fight in a tight job market for highly limited and poorly paid employment.

 How to begin today?

When you are feeling overwhelmed, begin with small steps. Choose one skill and work on it for 2 weeks.

- Beginner: Learning to type correctly, how to use email professionally and how to use Google Drive.