Digihyvä juttu

In order to get employed and to succeed in a society, a person needs at least basic digital skills, which are defined as civic skills.
There is a great deal of variation in students’ digital competences. This information is based on teachers’ oral feedback, the results obtained by the ATY- Towards Profession and Employment project (ESF, S21233) and Vamia’s own report on the results of distance learning (autumn 2021). In March-April 2021, the Ministry of Education and Culture conducted a self-assessment survey for VET providers, which assessed the VET provider’s digital capabilities when their operating environments digitalized. These assessments evaluated the assurance and development of learners’ digital competences and the progress of the digital competences needed in working life. The evaluation revealed that digital competence in Vamia has made some progress, but needs more support in order to develop over the next three years (a statistical report on the national results of the self-assessment survey was produced for the education provider, published in late spring 2021).
The lack of students’ digital skills has not been detected systematically, seamlessly and reliably. Often, the lack of skills becomes apparent in the final stages of studies when students are directed to an online job search.
The project will create an operating model that will be able to identify the shortages in the basic digital skills. In the project, support measures and guidance are offered to students who need it in a timely manner. As the basic digital skills improve, distance learning is also successful.
One of the main goals of the project is that Vamia will be able to promote students’ employment and success in working life. The operating model prevents digital exclusion and inequality. It provides tools for job search and success in working life. In Finland, the transfer of the employment and economic development services to municipalities will take place during 2024. One of the main goals of the transfer is to activate job seekers for continuous job search. Job search requires skills in using e-services.
The Extra Good Digital Support -project implements a leap into digital competence by creating a mapping phase, a targeted support model and a model for guidance.
The aim of the project is to identify all the data resources collected so far in the educational institution that could be utilized to prevent the weaknesses in the student’s digital competences.
As compulsory education expands, the transition phase is emphasised. The project aims to map the digital skills of young people already when they are moving from upper level of the comprehensive school to upper secondary education. Data is also collected in the project to determine whether artificial intelligence can be used in the future in order to identify the digital skills gap.
Competent and safe use of digital skills increases equality and well-being of students. One of the important goals of the project is to motivate and involve students in the development of digital skills, which are also one of the most important skills in working life. The goal is for all students, regardless of their gender, language, or ethnic background, to be able to operate safely online and apply for work electronically.
Digital skills are also needed for implementing distance learning and remote work. Teachers’ ability to act as a student’s digital supporter will be improved. The project develops the digital ergonomics of the educational institution cross-cuttingly. The impact of digital ergonomics on people’s cognitive abilities increases well-being.
The project will produce an effective response and operational model as well as model for continuous evaluation in order to develop operations of institutions.
All students who graduate will have basic digital competences that match the digital skills needed in working life. The evaluation of success is monitored using the indicators produced in the project. Digital skills help the student to find employment.
The digital competence of the teaching and instructional staff will be verified by introducing a nationwide open badge constellation for digital skills (Competitive Skills).