Solving the Problem of Core Digital and Data Skills at the National Level

Digital skills are now essential for active participation in modern economies and societies, yet progress in developing these skills remains limited. The EU aims for 80% of adults to have basic digital skills by 2030, while one third of the US population still lacks them. This gap is echoed worldwide.

Learnovate, a not-for-profit EdTech research centre at Trinity College Dublin, undertook a two-year project to explore how core digital and data skills can be developed and meaningfully assessed. The “Tri-Skill” initiative was co-created with partners from SMEs, pharmaceuticals, finance, and manufacturing. Workshops identified two priority groups—early-career employees and their managers—and revealed barriers such as limited time, lack of buy-in, and the investment required to sustain initiatives.

A survey of 150 organisations in Ireland, the UK, and the US showed that 65% have yet to begin preparing their workforce for future digital demands. Current assessment methods are mostly informal, with limited uptake of badges or micro-credentials.

In response, Learnovate developed and trialled a prototype learning platform, based on the EU DigComp framework. Over six weeks, 60 participants demonstrated significant skill gains and positive feedback. With DigComp 3 under development, this research highlights both the urgency and opportunity to scale solutions like Tri-Skill nationally and internationally.

Peter Gillis

Innovation Services Lead, Learnovate

Peter is an experienced team lead, skilled in the practices of: innovation (JTBD, Lean Startup, Design Thinking), digital strategy, and strategy and corporate company management. Peter is also a researcher with a demonstrated history of working in the EdTech research industry. He lectures on the psychology of learning on several masters programmes. Peter holds a first-class honours degree in Psychology, the focus of his research was cognitive theory of multimedia learning. In 2012, he completed an MSc in Technology Enhanced Learning at Trinity College Dublin. His research interest is the interaction between motivation and technology-enhanced learning. Peter developed his research on motivation and learning through the PhD programme at TCD. Peter has over two decades commercial experience in the digital design and communications industry. He was Managing Director of one of the first multimedia agencies in Ireland working with blue-chip clients in Ireland and the US.