Why Digital Literacy is Vital in Modern Workforces

The rise of technology in the workplace is showing no signs of abating, and businesses with the most digitally literate employees are emerging as today’s leading organisations.

This has been accelerated by COVID-19, which has made remote working and digital conferencing a common trend. In addition, the modern business has employees of all different backgrounds, age groups, and current digital capabilities, contributing to internal disconnects, such as within departments or even company-wide.

The challenge of making your organisation’s employees digitally savvy can seem enormous, but it’s also necessary for productivity, creativity, and growth.

And the majority of businesses agree, with 95 per cent of organisations surveyed acknowledging that a digital workforce strategy is essential in the modern age.

What Is Digital Literacy?

Digital literacy involves locating, evaluating, and creating content using technology and communicating effectively with others.

It’s an essential skill set to help navigate the information technology network that is fundamental to the operation of society today. You must be digitally literate when taking courses online like a master of financial technology and in the workforce.

There are many tools and skills within the landscape of digital literacy. However, to possess a strong technical skillset, using computers, mobile devices, and the internet and interacting with others online is essential.

Digital Literacy Has Become An Essential Skill At All Education Levels

Digital literacy skills are increasingly valued by educators, school leaders, and media specialists, as today’s students look to the internet as a critical source of information. When students are digitally literate, they find, consume, and create digital content in their way, and they know how to share their content with others.

A student with a digital literacy skillset understands how to create strong passwords, use privacy settings effectively, and know what to share and not share on social media. In addition, they are aware of the dangers of cyberbullying and work to prevent it from happening to others.

As more and more jobs require digital communication at some point, student skills in finding, evaluating, communicating, and sharing online content are vital to their future. Digital literacy skills can be taught in the classroom today, and students will benefit from it long term.

Digital Literacy Extends To The Modern Workforce

Technology has also been a significant factor driving changes in the modern workplace as well. As a result, several new job duties, expectations, and ways to communicate are becoming part of everyday life in every sector.

Students need to develop digital literacy to prepare themselves for these changes and, perhaps more importantly, adapt as innovations are introduced.

Organisations can reap numerous benefits from improving their workforce’s digital capabilities. A digitally literate employee is more efficient because they readily identify essential data/information/patterns and utilise them effectively. In a world where new information is constantly being released, having this capability is vital.

Employees with digital literacy skills are also able to connect and collaborate more effectively. These skills can also prevent generational gaps in a diverse workforce with up to five generations working together.

Why It Is Essential To Train Employees On Digital Literacy

Several benefits, including increased job satisfaction and employee engagement, can be achieved by providing them with educational training on digital literacy. Highlighting the importance of training staff on digital literacy, The Oracle and Future Workplace 2019 study of 8000 managers in 10 countries found that 36 per cent thought artificial intelligence would improve their skills, while 20 per cent thought it would improve their relationships at work.

New technologies are often intimidating when they are being introduced, but people are generally open to learning. Business leaders should demonstrate the importance of digital literacy to their employees and continued education in the workplace.

It will help them understand that digital literacy can improve their performance and productivity, increase their general knowledge, and acquire a greater sense of empathy for their colleagues in other departments, making collaboration between them more effective.