Abstract:

The article is focused on digital skills, the Internet connectivity and the use of Internet as relevant indicators for Europe’s digital performance and the evolution of EU member states in the digital competitiveness. Nowadays the knowledge-based society requires increased demands on digital experience of not only young people as well as on the infrastructure capacity. The digital skills have become as important as traditional literacy skills. The time of electronisation often limits the significance of this term to computer literacy, which is only one part of it. The labour market requirements for managing the digital skills of young people are increasing constantly in the last few years. The ratio between the level of digital skills required by the employer and the level declared by the job candidates (basic, advanced or expert level) is unequal. The fixed broadband Internet connection from home in Slovakia is also still below the average of the European Union. The state takes the measures to improve these skills according to the New Skills Agenda for Europe. The digital skills also vary significantly according to the age categories. The article analyses the development and the current state of digital skills acquired by the students and the comparison with other sociodemographic groups. The survey focuses also on the possibilities for the improvement of the digital skills in the educational process and in other population groups, e.g. through the lifelong learning process.

Keywords:

Digital skills, indicators of digital performance, research.