In the following collapsible sections, you will find the results we aim to achieve in 2024 for priority 1.1 “Improving Digital Skills and Knowledge”:
1. Further develop the platform approach nationally and locally
Further develop the platform approach nationally and locally through a collaboration of libraries, municipalities, welfare agencies and private parties. This will involve the further development of things such as Tel mee met Taal, Digital Society Alliance (Alliantie Digitaal Samenleven), the Dutch Media Literacy Network (Netwerk Mediawijsheid) and the help network for Digital Government Information Points (IDO):
- It is clear how scaling up and implementing local digital inclusion support networks can take shape in collaboration with a national coalition of public and private partners based on pilots in municipalities. The local chain approach to digital inclusion is being implemented in 15 frontrunner municipalities, providing input for further development of the guide.
- There is a wide range of offerings to improve digital skills in the Netherlands and the Dutch Caribbean, including accessible and low-threshold local activities and class offerings on digital awareness, critical skills and understanding of new technologies. There are also sufficient informal learning offerings that cater to specific learning needs and can be followed flexibly in one’s own time.
- Libraries and other facilities/locations are equipped to support people with safe internet use. Awareness of these facilities has increased. Libraries and healthcare facilities are working together to improve the digital skills people need in healthcare. IDOs offer help to people who need it or have questions about digital services. IDO staff pay attention to the digital skills of IDO visitors and actively refer them to course offerings. The Royal Library of the Netherlands promotes digital resilience and AI activities in libraries with the Digital Citizenship programme.
- 60% of municipalities are actively engaged in helping people with digital skills and inclusion.
- Municipalities and social partners have tools (translation of the manual to their local situation, overview of local course offerings and support organisations) to build a local digital inclusion support network.
Implementor (by whom, with whom): BZK, OCW, VWS, SZW, VNG, municipal authorities and Royal Library of the Netherlands
2. Establish prerequisites for digital skills
Public/social/private collaboration to establish the prerequisites for digital skills, such as computers and internet access:
- Depreciated Government equipment that is still reusable is made available to vulnerable groups.
- At least two municipalities have conducted experiments with a social internet package.
Implementor (by whom, with whom): BZK, other ministries, ADS, NL Digital, Stichting Allemaal Digitaal
3. Mapping and monitoring the digital competencies of the Dutch population
Public/social/private collaboration to establish the prerequisites for digital skills, such as computers and internet access:
- There is a clearer insight into the digital competencies of different groups in society. This is achieved in part by combining results from the UvA’s DIGCOM survey with the biennial “ICT use of households and individuals” survey by Statistics Netherlands and Eurostat. Policies are formed, and activities are targeted based on these insights.
- Initial insights:
-
- The DIGCOM survey shows that, on average, men score better than women on digital knowledge. As such, we are promoting Digital Government Information Points for women, including through Libelle Summer Week and by publishing a Digibelle (a themed issue of Libelle on digitalisation). In doing so, the government will reach more than 150,000 people.
- Research by DIGCOM and Centerdata suggests that all groups want to be more digitally resilient. The digital citizenship programme in libraries empowers citizens of all ages and increases resilience.
- Research shows that older people are less digitally savvy. The Digihandig app helps seniors get started with their smartphones in an accessible way. For additional help, the app refers to IDOs, SeniorWeb and the Digihulplijn.
Implementor (by whom, with whom): BZK, OCW, Digital Society Alliance
4. The Netherlands is committed to improving digital skills for marginalised groups internationally
Examples of results:
- There is collaboration with companies in developing countries to develop in-company digital skills in young people.
- Young female entrepreneurs in Ethiopia are supported in developing digital skills.Implementor (by whom, with whom): BZ
5. Add digital literacy to the curriculum for primary and secondary education
- Schools providing primary and secondary education receive more support in teaching digital literacy (Basic Skills Master Plan).
- The Digital Literacy Expertise Point was established in November 2023 to support schools and will be expanded further in 2024.
- The draft core objectives are expected to be published in the spring of 2024.
Implementor (by whom, with whom): OCW, Netherlands Institute for Curriculum Development (SLO), Kennisnet and the education sector
5. Course offerings for employers and employees
We encourage course offerings for employers and employees and approach that demographic proactively:
- Course offerings for employees have been highlighted and improved where necessary. New learning offerings are being developed in pilot regions in a custom and demand-oriented manner through the National Growth Fund project “LLO Collective for Less-Qualified and Semiliterate People”, launched in 2023 in the pilot regions of Twente and Southeast Brabant.
- Farmers can request advice or take courses through the Agricultural Management Consulting and Education Grant Module (through the Groenpact Digitalisation and Technology Acceleration programme for green education).
- More low-threshold training and retraining offerings are available. The Human Capital Agenda ICT increases the number of digitally skilled people by supporting and encouraging public-private partnerships (PPPs) between industry and educational institutions. The network map displays the PPPs that offer training. Partners include the Social and Economic Council, NL Digital, VNO-NCW, CA ICT and Human Capital sectors.
Implementor (by whom, with whom): EZK, OCW, LNV, BZK and local and regional authorities