ETF podcast series: Digital inclusion

Digital transformation has been increasingly evident in today's policy fora and decision-making centers. The idea of utilizing modern technology to enable more people from various backgrounds and geographic locations to get access to learn and develop skills through common platforms is becoming the new norm nowadays especially after the health pandemic.

In the latest episode of the ETF's podcast series we address the issue of digital inclusion and its relevance to learning and education during our talk with Tom Wambeke, Chief Learning Innovation at the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organisation  (ITCILO) and Fabio Nascimbeni, Human Capital Development Expert at the European Training Foundation.

While the usual common perception of digital inclusion used to focus on the issue of connection, the concept is far beyond that.."It is not limited anymore to having, for example, access to digital devices, infrastructure, the connectivity, it has become really a multidimensional conversation on many different topics going from digital literacy to digital skills to ensure that people fully can participate and benefit from today's knowledge society" says Tom Wambeke of the ITCILO stressing on the fact that inclusion is interdisciplinary.

"Trying to help people to make sense of what they do online in order for them to have a better life, better opportunities, better learning opportunities and better work opportunities is the core of digital inclusion," adds Fabio Nascimbeni.

The talk also focused on the the importance of people's engagement in the process of planning and implementing digital inclusion through building connections between end users and technology providers in a way that maintains both sides' interests and concerns. It is important to provide adequate training to learners and teachers to be able to use online platforms efficiently in a way that brings about added value to society.  Building comprehensive frameworks, developing open access educational resources and paying attention to the user learning experience are essential steps in this regard. 

Good examples of digitalising services in Finland, Zimbabwe and Spain were presented providing success stories of digital learning at the local level. 

This episode is the 13^th of the ETF Podcast Series entitled Skills Factory which first started in January 2021, where every month we host learning experts to bring us some insights about one of the themes that shape the sphere of vocational training and education worldwide.