The National Digital Skills Strategy of the Slovak Republic and the Action Plan 2023-2026

The National Digital Skills Strategy of the Slovak Republic and the Action Plan for the Years 2023-2026 (NSDZaAP) is a comprehensive strategy developed to enhance digital skills across various sectors of the Slovak population, ensuring alignment with both national and European Union (EU) strategic goals.

Key Objectives and Priorities:

1. Institutional Background: The strategy emphasizes strengthening the institutional framework to support the development and coordination of digital skills across the country. This includes engaging public administration, the professional community, academia, and the private sector to ensure a cohesive approach.
2. ICT Specialists: A significant focus is placed on increasing the number of specialists in information and communication technologies (ICT). The strategy aims to address the shortage of ICT professionals, which is crucial for Slovakia’s competitiveness in the digital economy.
3. Digital Skills for Youth and Educators: The strategy prioritizes the development of digital skills among young people and educators at all levels of the educational process. This is seen as essential for preparing future generations for the digitalized labor market.
4. Active Labor Market Participants: The strategy includes initiatives to support the digital upskilling and reskilling of active labor market participants, ensuring that the workforce can adapt to the demands of the digital economy.
5. Gender Inclusion in ICT: Increasing the participation of girls and women in ICT fields is a key priority. The strategy recognizes the current gender gap in ICT and aims to create conditions that encourage more women to enter and succeed in this sector.
6. Digital Divide and Exclusion: The strategy seeks to address the digital divide and minimize digital exclusion, ensuring that all citizens, regardless of age, gender, or geographic location, have access to digital skills and opportunities.

Strategic Framework and Implementation:

• Alignment with EU Goals: The strategy aligns with the Digital Europe Programme and the EU’s Digital Compass until 2030, which sets clear targets for digital skills across the member states.
• Cooperation with OECD: The strategy incorporates recommendations from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), particularly focusing on skill development and management.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: The Ministry of Investment, Regional Development, and Informatisation of the Slovak Republic (MIRRI SR) is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the strategy. The success of the measures will be evaluated through measurable indicators, with regular updates to the implementation plan.

Challenges and Context:

• Digital Skills Deficit: Slovakia faces significant challenges in terms of digital skills, with a noticeable gap between the current skill levels and those required to meet the demands of the digital economy.
• International Collaboration: The strategy highlights the importance of international cooperation, particularly within the EU, to share best practices and improve the effectiveness of digital skills initiatives.