Abstract:

As the world evolves towards a knowledge-based economy, digital transformation is happening in various organizations. Employees have to use one form of digital skills or another in almost in every organization – from restaurants to banks. Therefore, it is necessary for employees to acquire digital skills in order to stay competitive in the job market. Digital skills refer to the ability to use information and communications technologies to make a person more productive on their jobs. Traditionally, classroom learning (face-to-face) with practice in the computer laboratory is the most popular, and only choice to many people to learn new skills.

Many education institutes are providing classroom teaching for all their courses, including the ones that involve digital skills. With the advance of internet technologies and mobile networks, it is possible for employees to choose alternate modes of learning such as subscribing to an online course, or blended learning, which is a combination of the online courses and traditional classroom teaching. For employees seeking digital skills, it is obvious that they are the Internet savvy and willing to take online or blended courses. While it is clear that online learning mode can save time, travelling costs and tuition fees, the preference to use these modes depends may on a number of other factors. In order to cater for the demand of training needs on digital skills, education institutes should know the factors that may affect the employees' preference when choosing a mode for learning digital skills.

This research aims to find out the factors that affect the choice of the above modes of learning by employees to acquire digital skills. The research instrument was a questionnaire designed based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). An online survey was conducted among employees from various organizations in Hong Kong. It was found that the majority of the respondents have no experience of using online courses, and that the most important factors for choosing a course are good comments and qualifications of the teacher. Based on these findings, some recommendations to education institutes were provided.

Keywords:

Digital Transformation, Modes of Learning, Digital Skills, Blended Learning.